**‘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 once again issued a strong warning to India amid escalating trade tensions. In a recent interview with NewsNation, Lutnick stated that New Delhi “needs fixing” and cautioned that if India wants to continue selling products to American consumers, it must “play ball with the President.”
**Trade Tensions and Tariffs**
Lutnick criticized both India and Brazil for not sufficiently opening their markets and for actions that counter US interests. Currently, India faces steep tariffs imposed by the US, with duties reaching as high as 50% on certain goods. Notably, there is a recent 100% tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical products, a significant blow to the Indian pharmaceutical sector, which heavily depends on the US market for revenue.
Additionally, the 50% tariffs include a 25% penalty related to India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil, further complicating trade relations between the two countries.
**Deal Dynamics: “The First Deal Is Always the Best Deal”**
Lutnick emphasized the importance for countries like India and Brazil to cooperate with the US to gain access to its expansive consumer market. He 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.”
Despite ongoing negotiations with various nations, Lutnick identified India and Brazil as critical players on America’s trade agenda.
**Resumption of Trade Talks**
Amid these tensions, trade discussions between India and the US have resumed. From September 22 to 24, a delegation led by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, visited Washington. They met with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and other officials to explore a potential trade agreement.
The Indian Commerce Ministry described the meetings as productive, noting that both sides deliberated on the possible framework of a mutually beneficial trade deal.
As negotiations continue, the evolving dynamics between India and the US will be closely watched by global markets and policymakers alike.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/need-to-fix-india-stop-actions-harming-us-interests-lutnick/story
