AMN/Web Desk
— US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday said he expects India to resume trade negotiations with Washington in the coming months, predicting that New Delhi will “apologise” and seek a deal directly with President Donald Trump.
“In a month or two, I think India will be back at the table. They’re going to say they’re sorry and try to make a deal with Donald Trump,” Lutnick told Bloomberg, adding that the decision would ultimately rest with Trump.
Lutnick also criticised India’s ongoing imports of discounted Russian crude oil, calling them “wrong” and “ridiculous.” He linked the move to last week’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, suggesting India must choose its side.
The comments come amid heightened trade tensions. The Trump administration recently imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty tied to Russian oil imports, after the two sides failed to finalise an interim trade agreement by August.
“India and China both rely on the US market,” Lutnick said, stressing that America’s $30 trillion economy gives it unmatched leverage. “Eventually, they all come back. The customer is always right.”
