Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing additional tariff cuts ahead of a meeting this week with President Donald Trump that could boost American exports to India and avoid a potential trade war, government officials said.
Modi’s two-day U.S. visit from Wednesday comes as Trump plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries, including tariffs of 25% on all steel and aluminum imports by largest trading partner the United States.
Trump has previously called India a “very big abuser” on trade and urged it to buy more American-made security equipment to move towards a fair two-way trading relationship.
India is considering tariff cuts in at least a dozen sectors, from electronics to medical and surgical equipment, and chemicals, to boost U.S. exports in line with New Delhi’s domestic production plans, three government officials said.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.
India’s trade and foreign ministries, and the prime minister’s office, did not respond to requests for comment emailed outside official work days.
