US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has placed India on the list of countries Washington wants to “fix” in its trade agenda, urging New Delhi to adjust its approach for smoother access to the American market. However, Lutnick added that these countries should respond appropriately to America.
US Commerce Secretary targets India in trade talks
Speaking to NewsNation, Lutnick said, “We have a bunch of countries to fix, like Switzerland, Brazil, India — these are countries that need to really react correctly to America,” he said, adding, “Open their markets, stop taking actions that harm America, and that’s why we’re at odds with them.” India faces some of the highest US trade levies, a 50% tariff on certain goods, including a 25% penalty linked to Russian oil imports.
'There are some countries we need to fix – like India and Brazil. These countries need to react correctly to America. They need to open their markets and stop taking actions that harm America,' says US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnickpic.twitter.com/aThZwWfU6H
— IndiaWarMonitor (@IndiaWarMonitor) September 28, 2025
Lutnick added, “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, the next deal’s higher.” Lutnick’s latest comments add to his rhetoric on India’s trade and energy policies. He has previously described India’s stance in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration as “bravado.”
He warned, “These countries (India and Brazil) have to understand that if you want to sell to the US consumer, you’ve got to play ball with the president of the United States.” The US trade official said other negotiations are ongoing. “You still have Taiwan. That’s a big one that’s coming pretty soon. I expect to really be talking to them and sorting that out. So a bunch of countries left, but the big ones, India and Brazil…we’ll sort it out over time.”
In a Bloomberg interview on Friday, Lutnick said the US is “always willing to talk” but appeared to set conditions for India. “India doesn’t yet want to open its market. Stop buying Russian oil, and stop being part of BRICS. They are the link between Russia and China. If that’s who you want to be, go ahead. But either support the dollar, support the United States, support your biggest client—the American consumer—or expect a 50 per cent tariff. Let’s see how long that lasts,” Lutnick said. India, for its part, has consistently rejected claims that BRICS is trying to move away from the US dollar.
India-US trade talks resume
India and the US have restarted trade negotiations. A delegation led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently toured Washington from September 22 to 24. The delegation met US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and US Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor to discuss a potentiFal deal.
“The delegation had constructive meetings with the U.S. Government on various aspects of the deal. Both sides exchanged views on possible contours of the deal, and it was decided to continue the engagements with a view to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement,” the Commerce Ministry said.
Indian officials also met US businesses, exploring opportunities in the domestic market. “The business leaders reposed confidence in the Indian growth story and expressed their desire to intensify their business activities in India,” the ministry added.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump also commented, saying India and Russia seem to have been “lost” to China. “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” he wrote on Truth Social.