India Today Conclave 2025: US Commerce Secretary Howard Lanik spoke on Indo-US relations, trade and tariffs at India Today Conclave. Through video conferencing, Lonik, who was involved in the conclave, reiterated Trump that India is one of the few countries in the world that impose the most tariffs on American goods. He said that India will have to make a widespread cut in tariffs so that the US can enter the Indian market and there can be a trade between the two countries.
Lonik said that reducing tariffs on some American products like barbaric whiskey and Harley Davidson bikes will not work, but will have to cut tariffs on a large scale.
When asked whether the Narendra Modi government of India would not be politically harmed by reducing tariffs on agricultural products. Lonik said, ‘The Indian market will have to open with agricultural products. You have to do business in a smart way. This is not the way of business. India reduce its tariff and let America come in its market. This is the time to do something big, only a few products will not work by reducing tariffs. Smartali business has to be done.
He said, ‘America did not impose tariffs earlier and India has been putting heavy tariffs on American goods from the beginning. But America is now changing its policy. Now Trump is applying reciperookal tariff. Now the country that treats us, we will also treat him in the same way.
Donald Trump has recently said that the reciperook tariff will come into effect from April 2. After this, the country which will impose a customs duty on American goods, America will impose as much tariff on that country.
What did Lonik say on India-Russia relations and BRICS?
Lonik was questioned that Trump is focusing only on trade and tariffs in Indo-US relations. How will their policies be in the rest of the region?
In response, Latnik said, ‘It is not so, we talk about military … India buys defense things from Russia. We want to stop it. India is a member of BRICS, these countries are making their currency to compete with the dollar. These things will not strengthen the relationship between the two countries. We want all these to stop and trade should increase, strong relationships should be made.
On his answer, India Today Group news director Rahul Kanwal questioned France for weapons, depends on Russia but why so many questions arise about America, why India is not able to trust America in the matter of defense?
In response, Lutnik said, ‘America is the largest complex of military, the largest producer of defense weapons, America is fantastic and its technology is the best. You talk to America for defense weapons. When your PM came, he spoke on this. Reduce trust in others, trust us.