US Vice President JD Vance will visit India later this month with his wife, Usha Vance, marking her first visit to her ancestral country. This follows Vance’s previous trip to France and Germany. The visit occurs against a backdrop of tensions regarding trade tariffs, as President Trump criticized India’s high tariffs, claiming they hinder US exports. While he suggested India agreed to lower tariffs, Indian officials denied such commitments exist. White House Press Secretary Leavitt highlighted India’s tariffs on US products. Vance previously met PM Modi in Paris, where they discussed various topics and celebrated his son’s birthday together.
New Delhi:
US Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit India later this month with Second Lady Usha Vance, according to a report by Politico citing three sources familiar with the plans. This visit will mark Vance’s second trip abroad since taking office and his wife’s inaugural visit to her ancestral homeland as Second Lady. Last month, he made his first overseas trip to France and Germany.
The Vice President’s trip occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between India and the US regarding tariff reductions.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump criticized India’s tariffs, stating that it is “virtually impossible to sell anything to India” due to the “high tariffs.” He also announced reciprocal tariffs set to begin on April 2, aimed at matching the tariff rates imposed on US exports by foreign countries.
The 78-year-old Republican, whose tariff declarations have caused turmoil in the stock markets, later claimed that India had agreed to lower its tariffs on US imports. “India imposes enormous tariffs on us. Enormous. You can’t even sell anything in India… They have agreed, by the way, that they want to significantly cut down their tariffs now because someone is finally exposing them for what they have been doing,” he informed reporters at the White House.
However, India has maintained that no such agreements have been reached regarding trade tariff reductions with the US, emphasizing that negotiations between the two nations are still ongoing.
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who lamented the tariffs imposed by several countries on the US, pointed out the tariffs placed by India on US alcohol and agricultural products.
“In fact, I have a handy dandy chart here that illustrates not just Canada but the tariff rates all around. If you look at Canada, American cheese and butter face nearly a 300 percent tariff. When it comes to India, we’re talking a 150 percent tariff on American alcohol. Do you think that’s helping Kentucky bourbon get exported to India? I don’t think so. And there’s a 100 percent tariff on agricultural products from India,” she stated.
JD Vance-PM Modi meet
Shortly after Vance took office, he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the AI Summit in Paris last month. During their meeting, PM Modi presented an eco-friendly wooden alphabet set to Vance’s daughter, Mirabel Rose Vance. He even joined Vance and his family in celebrating their son Vivek’s birthday.
Expressing his pleasure, PM Modi shared on X, “Had a wonderful meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and his family. We had an engaging conversation on various topics. It was a joy to join them in celebrating the birthday of their son, Vivek!”
In response, Vance conveyed his appreciation to PM Modi, stating, “Prime Minister Modi was gracious and kind, and our children thoroughly enjoyed the gifts. I’m thankful to him for the enriching conversation.”