Trump's Apple threat complicated the collective bargaining of India

Even after President Trump had achieved a tariff of 26 percent, India had reason to hopes for trade negotiations with the United States.

China was faced with even higher import taxes. So were smaller Asian countries whose exports compete with India, such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. The positioned India to use the trade war to promote his goal, to lure the business, which is expected to flee from its huge neighbor. In addition, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a cozy relationship with Mr. Trump.

For India and for its American business partners, things are harder for India. Mr. Trump has changed his tactics with China and reset his highest tariffs. This false India, which is now not much lower than China.

Then he threw a wrench in India's relationship with Apple, the most striking example of an American company that has removed its production of Chinese suppliers.

A few years ago, almost every iPhone was put together in China. An estimated 25 percent or more will be manufactured in India by the end of this year. Last week, Mr. Trump revealed that he did not see this as progress: he said that Apple's production was supposed to skip India and instead move to the USA.

India is working on securing a reduction in the 26 percent tariff, which Mr. Trump held until the beginning of July to give the countries time to talk. Officials in Neu -Delhi are not quite sure what to make about Apple from Mr. Trump's statements. But they have a complex negotiation that is already complex before the Tarrevieve ends.