US won’t let India become rival like China, Trump official says

The US will not give India the same kind of economic advantages it gave China, which allowed that country to emerge as a major competitor, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on Thursday, signalling Washington’s cautiousness in negotiations over a trade deal.

While the US wants to work with India to unlock its “limitless potential,” India should understand that “we are not going to make the same mistakes with India that we made with China 20 years ago”, Landau said at the Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics.

Landau also offered to work with India to address long- and short-term issues in meeting its energy challenges as supply disruptions from the Middle East crisis threaten fuel stockpiles.

India has avoided taking sides in the widening conflict, as it finalises a trade deal under negotiation since US President Donald Trump took office.

Washington last month cut tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent after several rounds of talks.

India, like other countries, is attempting to balance growth at a time when the US is using tariffs in geopolitical negotiations.