As U.S. VP visits India, all eyes on New Delhi’s tariff strategy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks as he receives U.S. Vice President JD Vance, his wife, Usha Vance, along with their children, before Vance and Modi's meeting in New Delhi on Monday. | INDIAN PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

by GABRIEL DOMINGUEZ
April 22, 2025

When U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Monday in New Delhi, many other countries were watching for clues on how the two sides would deal with the onerous tariffs unleashed by Vance’s boss.
But experts warn that India’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats — even if successful — might not offer a general blueprint for other countries since each has a unique relationship with the United States.

A flat 26% tariff rate on inbound goods from India into the United States — now under a 90-day delay — has pushed New Delhi to rapidly engage with Washington in negotiations over a trade deal that not only addresses India's trade surplus, but also nudges the country to purchase more defense, tech and energy products from the U.S.