‘They’re dumping!’ Trump sounds alarm on Indian rice, hints at fresh tariffs

He made the remarks on Monday while announcing that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make $12 billion available in one-time bridge payments to American farmers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs that continue to affect them.

During the event, while commenting on Indian rice, Trump was quoted by the media as saying, “They shouldn’t be dumping."

He added, “I mean, I heard that, I heard that from others. You can’t do that.”

Trump made the remarks after being given a list of countries, including India, Thailand and China, that were dumping rice into the United States, reported The Federal.

The relationship between India and the US hit a low point earlier this year after Trump, just months after taking charge as President, imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, citing trade barriers and New Delhi’s purchase of crude oil from Russia.

Since then, the two sides have held trade talks to address the barriers.

Meanwhile, a team led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer will visit India on December 10 and December 11, when it will hold talks with Indian officials.

“This visit is a familiarization visit, as also to meet with senior officials in the Government of India. As you are aware, both governments remain engaged with a view to concluding a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial multi-sectoral bilateral trade agreement,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a media briefing.