US President Donald Trump has once again targeted India, making fresh remarks to defend the steep tariffs his administration has imposed on Indian goods. On Monday, Trump claimed that India had offered to reduce tariffs on US goods to “zero,” but said the move had come too late. 

His comments came in a social media post just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China. Trump called trade with India a “one-sided disaster,” alleging that India sells massive amounts of goods to the US but buys very little in return because of what he described as extremely high tariffs.

“The reason is that India has charged us such high tariffs, the highest of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India,” Trump wrote. “They have now offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago.”

The US recently slapped a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing trade imbalance. Another 25% duty was added after India refused Washington’s demand to stop buying oil from Russia, raising the total tariff to 50%. Trump’s fresh attack comes as his administration faces criticism both at home and abroad for these harsh measures, particularly against India.

Trump’s tariffs are often driven by personal grudges rather than policy. US investment bank Jefferies suggested his moves against India stem partly from frustration over being sidelined in talks about India-Pakistan tensions. Political commentator Rick Sanchez added that Trump often acts out of “vendettas and non-scientific thinking.”

Meanwhile, in sharp contrast to Trump’s tone, the US Embassy in India posted a message on social media praising the “enduring friendship” between the two countries. Featuring US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the post said the partnership was reaching “new heights” and was a defining relationship of the 21st century.

This mixed messaging from Washington comes as India, Russia, and China signal closer ties at the SCO summit, raising questions about how Trump’s approach might be pushing New Delhi to strengthen other strategic partnerships.