Trump says US, India have trade deal after Modi phone call

WASHINGTON — President Trump announced a new US-India trade deal Monday after a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi — saying the agreement could help choke off Russia’s war machine in Ukraine.“He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela,” Trump said of Modi on Truth Social, announcing US tariffs on New Delhi would be slashed to 18%.“This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week!” he added.Follow The Post’s live coverage of President Trump and national politics for the latest news and analysisTrump has been urging India — the second-largest purchaser of Russian crude — to divest from Moscow for months as the Kremlin unloaded the fossil fuel at a discount in the face of heavy sanctions from the West.In August, the president slapped 50% tariffs on all Indian products to pressure Modi to stop buying Russian oil. Despite the warning, the world’s largest democracy purchased roughly 1.5 million barrels each day, according to global trade data.Monday represented a breakthrough in that push, with Trump saying Modi “also committed to ‘BUY AMERICAN,’ at a much higher level, in addition to over $500 BILLION DOLLARS of U.S.Energy, Technology, Agricultural, Coal, and many other products.”“Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately, we agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India, whereby the United States will charge a reduced Reciprocal Tariff,” Trump went on.“Our amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward.

Prime Minister Modi and I are two people that GET THINGS DONE, something that cannot be said for most.”Trump did not provide a timeline for when India would stop purchasing Russian oil.Modi lauded Trump as his “dear friend” and welcomed the reduced tariffs in a post to X — but...