India-US Trade Deal: Trump Alarmed, Former Swedish PM Highlights Policy Shift

India and the United States have recently announced a major trade agreement, but official comments from the Indian government remain limited. U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gore also refrained from providing detailed information on the matter.

Former Swedish PM Comments on the Deal
Stockholm: Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt remarked that the India-European Union trade deal reportedly unsettled former U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting a swift policy adjustment in Washington. Bildt shared an interview of Ambassador Gore on his social media platform X, where Gore discussed the India-U.S. trade deal with an Indian news channel. As a key diplomat in the agreement, Gore had hinted at the deal before its official announcement, saying, “President Trump has spoken with PM Modi on the phone. Stay tuned…”

Carl Bildt commented on the post: “It is evident that Trump was rattled by the EU-India trade deal and had to quickly change U.S. policies. This is a positive development for both countries, and the European Union demonstrated leadership.” Bildt also serves as co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Details of the India-US Trade Agreement
According to Ambassador Gore, when asked about India’s energy imports from the U.S., Venezuela, and the potential reduction in Russian oil purchases, he stated: “I am not going into the full details at this moment. But what I can say is that PM Modi and President Trump both support ending the war in Ukraine. Also, the EU and India have been negotiating this trade deal for 19 years, and both leaders expedited it.”

The trade agreement reportedly includes:

• A reduction of U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18% (down from previous levels of up to 50%, which included a 25% tariff on Russian crude imports).
• India has committed to importing over $500 billion worth of U.S. products, including energy, technology, agricultural products, and coal.
• President Trump stated that India will eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers on American goods.

While Trump claimed that India has agreed to reduce Russian oil imports and increase energy purchases from the U.S. and possibly Venezuela, India has not officially confirmed these claims.

Expert Views on the Trade Deal
Indian geopolitical analyst Sushant Sharin praised the agreement on social media, noting: “Under this deal, imports from the U.S. worth $500 billion will materialize over time. In five years, this translates to roughly $100 billion annually—about double current levels. Including oil, gas, and other products, the target is achievable without adversely affecting Indian farmers. Certain agricultural imports can be made without impacting domestic production, and this was part of the negotiations.”

The India-U.S. trade deal marks a significant step in bilateral economic relations, while also reflecting a broader geopolitical recalibration in response to global energy and trade dynamics.