World media acclaim PM Modi- Prez Trump meet, trade deal
World media acclaim PM Modi- Prez Trump meet, trade deal
World Media has acclaimed PM Modi and Trump for focus on trade, tariffs, and defence cooperation, targeting a $500 billion trade goal by 2030.
In the midst of their White House meet on Thursday, PM Modi and US President Donald Trump focused on trade, tariffs, and defence ties..While Donald Trump had earlier threatened to impose tariffs, the two leaders signalled a willingness to negotiate, raising hopes of possible concessions from both sides.
Donald Trump, acknowledged for his deal-making persona, admitted that PM Modi was a “much better negotiator” than him.
In a lighthearted moment, Modi played on Trump’s iconic “MAGA” slogan, saying he was committed to “Make India Great Again”.
The meeting amid the two world leaders has drawn significant attention from global media as well, with various outlets analysing key aspects of their discussions.
As per Reuters PM Modi and Donald Trump set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Their discussions included key sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and strategic minerals, with both leaders emphasising the need for a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
However, another news agency Associated Press highlighted
Trump’s criticism of India’s high import duties, calling them “very unfair”, and reiterated his stance on implementing reciprocal tariffs.
According to Reuters, Modi assured that India is willing to take back its nationals living illegally in the US and called for joint efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks.
Notably, both leaders avoided discussing sensitive issues such as minority rights, drawing some criticism from advocacy groups.
India to boost oil imports from US
Bloomberg reported that India is seeking to boost oil and gas imports from the US in an effort to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries and avoid potential retaliatory tariffs.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri outlined that we purchased about $15 billion in US energy output,” Bloomberg quoted foreign secretary Vikram Misri as saying at a media briefing in Washington on Thursday.
Adding there is a good chance that this figure will go up as much as $25 billion.
Misri added that “it is entirely possible increased energy purchases will contribute to impacting the deficit between India and US.”
Global perspectives on the meeting
The BBC reported that the meeting was largely symbolic, with little substantive progress on trade disputes.
However, it acknowledged that both leaders used the opportunity to reinforce their commitment to strategic ties and shared geopolitical interests.
The British broadcaster spoke to Abhijit Das, former head of the Centre for WTO Studies at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, who suggested that India should counter Trump’s reciprocal tariff logic, particularly in agriculture where the US imposes strict non-tariff barriers that restrict Indian exports such as stiff maximum residue limits on chemicals. He argued that since the US “heavily subsidises” its farm sector, India should highlight these subsidies to push back against American claims.
Reuters also focused on human rights concerns, criticising both leaders for sidestepping discussions on democratic values and press freedom.
News Edit KV Raman
