Referring to India’s trade policies, Trump remarked, “India is one of the highest tariffing nations in the world.… it’s brutal, it’s brutal."

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) expressed optimism about the ongoing India-US tariff talks and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, referring to him as a "very smart man" and a "great friend.

Ray Vickery, former United States Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Development on Saturday said that India can not be accused as the tariff abuser, adding that Prime Minister Modi and his administration will continue to manage the delicate trade relationship with the US.