India is signaling it might search to rebalance its international partnerships after Trump’s salvo of tariffs on Indian items.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva have spoken by telephone, their places of work stated, discussing a broad vary of matters that included tariffs imposed by the USA on items from each nations.
Lula confirmed a state go to to India in early 2026 throughout the name on Thursday, which occurred a day after the Brazilian chief advised the information company Reuters that he would provoke a dialog among the many BRICS group of nations on tackling US President Donald Trump’s levies, that are the very best on Brazil and India.
The group of main rising economies additionally contains China, Russia and South Africa.
“The leaders mentioned the worldwide financial state of affairs and the imposition of unilateral tariffs. Brazil and India are, thus far, the 2 nations most affected,” Lula’s workplace stated in an announcement.
Trump introduced a further 25 % tariff on Indian items on Wednesday, elevating the entire obligation to 50 percent. The extra tariff, efficient August 28, is supposed to penalise India for persevering with to purchase Russian oil, Trump has stated.
Trump has additionally slapped a 50 % tariff on items from Brazil, with decrease ranges for sectors reminiscent of plane, power and orange juice, tying the transfer to what he known as a “witch hunt” in opposition to former President Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing ally on trial for an alleged coup plot to overturn his 2022 election loss.
On their name, Lula and Modi reiterated their purpose of boosting bilateral commerce to greater than $20bn yearly by 2030, based on the Brazilian president’s workplace, up from roughly $12bn final yr.
Brasilia stated in addition they agreed to increase the attain of the preferential commerce settlement between India and the South American commerce bloc Mercosur, and mentioned the digital fee platforms of their nations.
Modi’s workplace, in its assertion, didn’t explicitly point out Trump or US tariffs, however stated “the 2 leaders exchanged views on varied regional and international problems with mutual curiosity.”
India is already signalling it might search to rebalance its international partnerships after Trump’s salvo of tariffs on Indian items.
Modi is getting ready for his first go to to China in additional than seven years, suggesting a possible diplomatic realignment amid rising tensions with Washington. The Indian chief visited Lula in Brasilia final month.