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The Press Secretary mentioned the tariffs imposed by India and Japan on different US products adding that today the US President “actually looks out” for the interests of American businesses and workers.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. (Reuters)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed concerns over tariffs imposed on the US by various countries, specifically mentioning India’s tariffs on American alcohol and agricultural products.
These tariffs are part of India’s broader trade policies, which include high tariffs and non-tariff barriers on most agricultural and consumer-ready food products, ranging from 30-40 per cent.
While addressing a press briefing Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump believes in reciprocity and wants to have fair and balanced trade practices.
The Press Secretary also slammed Canada for allegedly “ripping off” the US and its citizens “for decades” with its “egregious” rate of tariffs.
When questioned about the timeline for Trump speaking to Canada’s Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney, Leavitt responded, “The president is again responding to the fact that Canada has been ripping off the United States of America and hardworking Americans for decades. If you look at the rates of tariffs across the board that Canadians have been imposing on the American people and our workers here, it is egregious.”
The Press Secretary mentioned the tariffs imposed by India and Japan on different US products adding that today the US President “actually looks out” for the interests of American businesses and workers.
“In fact, I have a handy dandy chart here that shows not just Canada but the rate of tariffs across the board. If you look at Canada since you brought it up, American cheese and butter has a nearly 300 per cent tariff. You look at India, 150 per cent tariff on American alcohol. Do you think that’s helping Kentucky bourbon be exported into India? I don’t think so. 100 per cent tariff on agricultural products from India,” Leavitt said.
#WATCH | Washington, DC: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says, “…Look at India, 150 per cent tariff on American alcohol. Do you think that’s helping Kentucky Bourbon be exported to India? I don’t think so. 100 per cent tariff on agricultural products from India…President… pic.twitter.com/fctjCHogsv— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2025
“Look at Japan, tariffing rice, 700 per cent. President Trump believes in reciprocity and it is about…time that we have a president who actually looks out for the interests of American businesses and workers. And all he’s asking for at the end of the day are fair and balanced trade practices and unfortunately, Canada has not been treating us very fairly at all over the past several decades,” she added.
Meanwhile, amid pressure from the United States, the Indian government has slashed the import duty on bourbon whiskey from 150 to 100 per cent and lowered tariffs on several varieties of wines.
India has imposed a 50 per cent basic customs duty on bourbon imports, along with an additional 50 per cent agricultural cess. In the previous year, India imported $2.6 million worth of bourbon-related products, with $0.8 million of that total coming from the United States.
Earlier on Sunday, Trump mentioned that the tariffs against Mexico and Canada could go higher in the future, Fox News reported adding that the global community has been ripping off the US for ages.
“I think [the business community could see clarity on tariffs],” he said, addressing CEOs’ desire to see predictability for Capital Expenditure spending and shareholder purposes.
“But the tariffs could go up as time goes by, and they may go up…” he added, as per Fox News.”For years, globalists have been ripping off the United States. They’ve been taking money away from the United States, and all we’re doing is getting some of it back, and we’re going to treat our country fairly,” Fox News quoted Trump as saying.
