A new book has claimed that former US President Donald Trump was involved in a heated internal exchange with senior officials over the accuracy of tariff data related to India, raising fresh insights into how trade decisions were shaped inside the White House.
The book, titled Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, written by journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, suggests that Trump repeatedly challenged official estimates provided by US trade agencies regarding tariffs imposed by India on American goods.
According to the authors, Trump believed that India’s tariff rates on US products were significantly higher than what was being reported by officials, and at one point even suggested figures as high as 175 per cent. He is said to have dismissed data presented by the Office of the United States Trade Representative and demanded what he called “real, hard facts” during internal discussions.
The book describes a broader atmosphere of disagreement within the administration on trade policy, with Trump reportedly expressing frustration that the information being given to him did not match his expectations or understanding of global trade practices.
These internal debates, according to the authors, came at a time when Washington and New Delhi were already experiencing growing friction over trade barriers. The US had been critical of India’s tariff regime, arguing that it placed American exporters at a disadvantage in accessing the Indian market.
The tensions later translated into policy actions, including the imposition of higher tariffs on Indian goods by the Trump administration. Additional duties were also introduced later, with Washington linking trade measures to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, which further strained bilateral relations.
At one stage, combined tariffs on certain Indian imports reportedly reached up to 50 per cent, marking one of the most significant trade pressure points between the two countries in recent years.
Despite these disputes, both nations eventually moved toward renewed negotiations. In early 2026, India and the United States agreed on a framework aimed at reducing trade barriers and improving market access, signalling a thaw in economic tensions.
Subsequent discussions between trade officials from both sides have focused on finalising the terms of a broader agreement, with efforts underway to resolve outstanding issues and stabilise bilateral trade relations.
