US, Jan 26 : Senator Ted Cruz, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2028 Presidential Election, has accused Vice President JD Vance and former President Donald Trump of obstructing the India-US free trade deal, according to recordings obtained by Axios.
The recordings, spanning about 10 minutes from private donor meetings in 2025, capture Cruz sharply criticising the administration’s tariffs driven trade approach and warning of potential economic fallout. He described Vance as a “pawn” of conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, whom he has previously accused of promoting anti-Israel policies.
Cruz warned donors that Trump’s tariffs could severely impact the US economy, depress 401(k) values, increase consumer prices, and risk congressional losses, potentially exposing the President to impeachment. In one excerpt, Cruz recalled telling Trump:
“Mr. President, if we get to November of 2026 and people’s 401(k)s are down 30% and prices are up 10–20% at the supermarket, we’re going to go into Election Day, face a bloodbath… You’re going to spend the next two years being impeached every single week.”
According to the senator, Trump responded with profanity.
Cruz further revealed that efforts to finalise the India-US trade deal were met with resistance within the administration. He named White House economic adviser Peter Navarro, Vice President Vance, and “sometimes” Trump as key obstacles.
While these revelations have stirred political discussion, the Trump administration has not publicly responded. Officially, the US continues to state that it remains engaged with India to finalise the trade agreement.