‘If you reduce reciprocal tariffs to zero…’: Piyush Goyal’s brazen 18% attack on US Ambassador Sergio Gor | India News

New Delhi: Union Minister Piyush Goyal On Monday, The Times of India drew an analogy between trade and sports, saying the US’s 18% tariff on Indian goods reflected India’s superiority in defeating the US in the T20 World Cup.Goyal praises U.S. performance cricket Despite the defeat, the team used the opportunity to make pointed comments about the trade relationship between the two countries. He made the remarks at a reception hosted at the residence of U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gore.

“The United States may not have won yesterday’s game (T20 World Cup against India), but I must say it was a great performance for a country that doesn’t know anything about cricket but only started playing cricket a few years ago,” Goyal said.Recalling a relaxed exchange with the ambassador during the game, he added: “Sergio was there to enjoy the game…Sergio pointed out a very important factor – the United States lost the game by 18%, and I made a very humble request to him, suggesting that if you set reciprocal tariffs to zero, you could potentially win the game.”Goyal said he has been impressed by the progress Team USA has made in the sport. “I’m definitely surprised by how well the US Cricket Team is doing…” he said, referring to the sport’s meteoric rise in a country that had only been exposed to the sport in recent years.India and the United States issued a joint statement on Saturday outlining the details of the recently announced trade agreement, under which tariffs on Indian products entering the United States will be reduced from 50% to 18%. This progress follows months of negotiations that began in February 2025. For India, the agreement will reduce customs duties on a range of goods including textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, plastic and rubber products, organic chemicals, home décor, handmade products and select machinery. With regard to the United States, India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on a full range of U.S. industrial products and a wide range of agricultural and food products, including dried distillers grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, soybean oil, and wine and spirits.