US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that a trade deal with India is very close, potentially leading to lower tariffs on Indian goods. The remarks came during the swearing-in of Sergio Gor as US Ambassador to India. Trump cited India's reduced Russian oil imports as a reason for the tariff relief.
On November 10, 2025, in Washington, US President Donald Trump made optimistic remarks about trade ties with India during the Oval Office swearing-in of Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to India. Trump stated, 'We're getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal. We're making a deal with India, a much different deal than we had in the past.' He emphasized that the two countries are 'very close' to an agreement beneficial for all.
Trump hinted at soon reducing high tariffs on Indian goods, saying, 'Right now, the tariffs are very high on India because of the Russian oil, and they've stopped doing the Russian oil. It's been reduced very substantially. Yeah, we're going to be bringing the tariffs down.' Earlier this year, the Trump administration raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50 percent, including a 25 percent penalty over India's purchases of Russian crude oil.
Trump claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him of winding down Russian oil imports, though India's Ministry of External Affairs has not confirmed this. The ministry stated that New Delhi decides on energy imports based on citizens' needs, not external pressure. Trump described India as one of the world's oldest civilizations, the largest democracy with over 1.5 billion people. He praised his 'fantastic relationship' with Modi and said Gor would strengthen economic, security, and energy ties.
The deal is expected to boost US energy exports and investments in key sectors. It signals easing of trade tensions, enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations.
