Doha, May 15 – Former US President Donald Trump, currently on a three-nation visit to the Middle East, made a surprising claim during a business event in Qatar. Speaking to business leaders, Trump stated that India had offered the US a trade deal with “zero tariffs.”
“The Indian government has offered us a deal where they are literally willing to charge no tariff,” Trump said, as reported by Bloomberg.
However, Trump did not provide any further details. The Indian government has yet to issue an official response to this statement.
Trump: Told Tim Cook Not to Expand in India
In a related remark, Trump mentioned a private conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook, in which he discouraged the tech giant from expanding operations in India.
“I said, I don’t want you building in India,” Trump stated. He claimed that as a result, Apple will increase production within the United States instead.
Trade Talks Amid Indo-Pak Ceasefire
Trump’s trade remarks come as New Delhi and Washington are in ongoing discussions to finalize a bilateral trade deal, with a temporary pause on reciprocal tariffs in place.
Earlier in April, Trump had imposed a 26% tariff on Indian goods during his ‘Liberation Day’ announcements. India has since been pushing to resolve trade differences within a 90-day window.
Trump also tied his trade efforts to the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire, claiming the US played a key role.
“When things were getting hot between India and Pakistan, we stepped in. I said, come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys—let’s stop it,” Trump said.
India Rejects Trump’s Mediation and Trade Claims
Indian officials, however, rejected Trump’s statements. According to sources cited by Hindustan Times, trade was not discussed during any of the recent high-level conversations between Indian and US leaders.
There was no mention of trade during US Vice President JD Vance’s call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9, or during Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s conversations with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval.
“There was no reference to trade in any of these discussions,” one official familiar with the matter said.
Negotiators from both countries are reportedly close to concluding the first phase of a trade agreement, expected by fall 2025.
Also Read: Rajnath Singh Visits Srinagar After Operation Sindoor
Trump Again Offers to Mediate Kashmir Issue
In a recurring theme, Trump also reiterated his offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. He claimed the US is willing to work with both nations to find a resolution.
India has firmly rejected this offer. Officials stated that engagement with Pakistan is limited strictly to military channels, particularly through the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs).
There will be no discussions on broader topics such as Kashmir or the Indus Waters Treaty, New Delhi emphasized.
