Trump called four times but PM Modi refused to talk over punitive tariffs, claims German newspaper
The German daily reported that “Modi was offended,” noting that Trump’s strategy often relied on leveraging other countries’ dependence on the US market.
US President Donald Trump attempted to talk to PM Modi but he refused all the four calls, claims a report in the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung—also known by its abbreviated name FAZ.
The report suggests that this was the result of the "depth of his [Modi's] anger, but also his caution". A Japanese newspaper, Nikkei Asia, has made similar claims, saying Prime Minister Modi was avoiding Trump's calls, "heightening Trump's frustration."
Thorsten Benner, co-founder and director of the Berlin-based Global Public Policy Institute, on Tuesday, posted on X: “FAZ claims that Trump tried to call Modi four times in recent weeks but that Modi refused the calls.” Benner also shared a copy of the news report.
The report surfaced just a day before the US is set to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Half of these duties are punitive, linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, while the remaining half stems from stalled trade negotiations over New Delhi’s refusal to open its agriculture and dairy sectors to US imports.
The German daily reported that “Modi was offended,” noting that Trump’s strategy often relied on leveraging other countries’ dependence on the US market. However, it emphasized that Modi “stood firm” during Trump’s first term, maintaining a cooperative relationship without compromising India’s economic interests.
FAZ highlighted the unexpected aspect of the situation—Trump’s repeated efforts to get Modi to change his position. The paper explained the reason for Modi’s caution, pointing out that Trump had previously renegotiated a trade deal with Vietnam. Despite months of talks between official delegations, Trump allegedly sealed new terms in a single phone call with Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam.