**‘India Needs Fixing’: Trump Aide Howard Lutnick Renews Trade Threat**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 28, 2025, 02:17 PM*
Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary under the Trump administration, has issued a renewed warning to India regarding trade relations. In a recent interview with NewsNation, Lutnick stated that New Delhi “needs fixing” and cautioned that if India wants to sell products to American consumers, it must “play ball with the President.”
### Trade Tensions Between the US and India
Lutnick criticized both India and Brazil for not opening their markets sufficiently and for taking actions perceived as adverse to US interests. Currently, India is facing steep tariffs imposed by the US, with duties as high as 50% on certain products. Notably, there is a recent 100% tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical products—a significant blow for Indian pharmaceutical companies that rely heavily on the US market for revenue.
Additionally, the 50% tariffs include a 25% penalty linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, further escalating trade tensions between the two countries.
### The Dynamics of Deal-Making
Emphasizing the importance of cooperation, Lutnick remarked, “The way that President Trump does deals, the first deal is always the best deal. And then the next deal is higher, the next deal is higher.” He urged countries like India and Brazil to recognize that access to the US consumer market requires aligning with American trade priorities.
Among ongoing trade negotiations with several nations, Lutnick identified India and Brazil as key priorities for the US.
### Resumption of Trade Talks
Amid these tensions, trade discussions between India and the US have resumed. A delegation led by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, visited Washington from September 22 to 24. During the visit, they held meetings with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and other officials to explore the possibility of a trade agreement.
India’s Commerce Ministry described the meetings as productive, highlighting that both sides discussed potential frameworks for a mutually beneficial trade deal.
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As trade talks continue, the world watches closely to see how the two economic giants will navigate their complex relationship.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/need-to-fix-india-stop-actions-harming-us-interests-lutnick/story
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