Trump Assures “Nothing Changes” on India Trade Deal, Praises PM Modi as “Great Gentleman”

US, Feb 21 : US President Donald Trump on Friday assured that a recent Supreme Court ruling on tariffs would not affect the proposed trade framework with India, stating that “nothing changes.” Speaking at a news conference, he described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great gentleman, a great man actually,” highlighting the strong personal rapport between the two leaders.

Trump said the trade arrangement now favors the United States, with India paying tariffs while the US avoids reciprocal duties. “Our deal with India is that they pay tariffs. This is a reversal from what it used to be,” he noted, describing the shift as a strategic reset in leverage. He added that the administration retains flexibility to implement the deal differently if required, emphasizing that “all the deals are just; we’re just going to do it a different way.”

The remarks came amid scrutiny over the scope of presidential authority after the Supreme Court ruled that Trump had exceeded powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). While the ruling affects how tariffs may be imposed, Trump maintained that bilateral negotiations with India would continue unaffected.

Trump also addressed broader bilateral ties and the Quad Summit, asserting that his relationship with India remains “fantastic” and reaffirming that trade discussions are progressing positively. He framed tariff measures as tools for economic leverage and national security, calling the recent legal case “important as a symbol of economic and national security.”

Meanwhile, New Delhi clarified that the trade discussions are separate from regional tensions with Pakistan, noting that the India-US trade framework results from a year-long negotiation process and is independent of geopolitical events.