US President Donald Trump struck a confident and personal tone on June 5, 2026, declaring that Washington is now “making a lot of money with India” — a sharp reversal from his long-standing complaint that it was New Delhi that profited at America’s expense.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly, calling him a “good friend” and expressing confidence that the two countries would reach a trade agreement, while also making clear that the era of one-sided arrangements was over.
Trump has often used Harley-Davidson as a symbol of unfair trade. He pointed out that India once imposed a 200% tariff on American motorcycles, effectively shutting the iconic brand out of one of the world’s largest markets. That, he argued, was the old India-US relationship — one where American businesses paid a steep price to enter Indian markets while India faced little friction in return.
That narrative, Trump insists, is changing.
Trump’s remarks came a day after a US delegation concluded a four-day visit to India aimed at finalising an interim trade agreement. The latest talks, held from June 1 to June 4 in New Delhi, covered issues such as market access, non-tariff barriers, customs procedures, trade facilitation, and economic security cooperation. Officials from both sides described the discussions as constructive.
The backdrop to these negotiations is significant. Earlier this year, Trump announced a trade deal with India in a joint statement that aimed to open India’s market of over 1.4 billion people to American products, with both sides reaffirming commitment to broader Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations.
The Modi Factor
What’s striking about Trump’s rhetoric is how personal he makes it. He has repeatedly credited the Modi-Trump friendship as a driving force behind the deal-making. “I like your Prime Minister a lot. He is a good friend of mine, and we get along well. We have a good relationship,” Trump said, framing the personal dynamic between the two leaders as a key factor in the ongoing negotiations.
Whether diplomacy or friendship is doing the heavier lifting, one thing is clear — a new chapter in US-India trade relations appears to be within reach.
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