The White House once again highlighted the high tariffs imposed by India on several American products, including alcohol and agricultural goods.
The reference to the high tariff imposed by India was made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a briefing on Tuesday while responding to a question on Canada.
Leavitt alleged that Ottawa has been “ripping off” the United States of America and hard-working Americans for decades.”
“If you look at the rates of tariffs across the board that Canadians have been imposing on the American people and our workers here, it is egregious. In fact, I have a handy dandy chart here that shows not just Canada, but the rate of tariffs across the board. If you look at Canada…American cheese and butter, nearly 300% tariff,” she said.
ALSO READ | ‘Fake News Hysteria’: White House On Reports Of USAID Staff Being Ordered To ‘Shred, Burn’ Records
150% Tariff On American Alcohol
Pointing towards India, Leavitt said, “You look at India, 150% tariff on American alcohol. You think that’s helping Kentucky bourbon be exported into India? I don’t think so. 100% tariff on agricultural products from India.”
She also mentioned about Japan “tariffing rice 700%.”
She held up a chart that showed tariffs levied by India, Canada, and Japan. Two circles on the chart with the colours of the tri-colour highlighted the tariffs that India imposes.
ALSO READ | Ontario Premier Backs Down On 25% Surcharge For Power Exports To US, Headed To Washington For Talks
‘Trump Believes In Reciprocity’
The Press Secretary went on to say that President Donald Trump believes in reciprocity and it’s about time that the US has a president who looks after the interests of Americans.
“President (Donald) Trump believes in reciprocity, and it is about dang time that we have a president who actually looks out for the interests of American businesses and workers, and all he’s asking for at the end of the day are fair and balanced trade practices, and unfortunately, Canada has not been treating us very fairly at all over the past several decades,” she said.
ALSO READ | US President Trump Buys $80,000 Tesla For White House To Show Support To Elon Musk
India ‘Very High Tariff Nation’: Trump
Earlier, Trump had raised the issue of high tariffs saying the country was a “very high tariff nation.”
Following Trump’s remark, the Ministry of External Affairs said a proposed India-US trade agreement sought to lower tariff, and non-tariff barriers, expand market access, and strengthen supply chain integration.
Reacting to MEA’s statement, Trump said New Delhi has “agreed, by the way.” “They want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody is finally exposing them for what they have done,” he added.
However, on Tuesday, New Delhi said it has made no commitments on the trade tariffs and that negotiations are still on between the two countries.
