American Media Praises Modi’s Strategy in Securing Key Deals Despite Trump’s Tariff Pressure

Washington, 15th February 2025: CNN has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to trade negotiations with then-US President Donald Trump, describing it as a “masterclass” in diplomacy. Despite rising tariff tensions, the two leaders managed to finalize key agreements on trade, energy, and defence.

Modi, who initially faced a potential diplomatic challenge when Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on India during his Washington visit, skillfully turned the situation around. By navigating Trump’s unpredictable negotiating style, he secured deals that benefited both nations.

CNN’s senior international correspondent, Will Ripley, highlighted Modi’s strategic diplomacy, calling the meeting a valuable lesson for global leaders. “This is a masterclass… a guide on how to approach negotiations with President Trump to achieve the best possible outcome,” Ripley remarked.

Fully aware of the economic and political pressure created by Trump’s tariff policies, Modi successfully shifted the conversation. He secured commitments for greater US investments in India’s nuclear energy sector and made progress on defence procurements, including discussions on acquiring F-35 fighter jets. Additionally, he reassured Trump of India’s willingness to lower tariffs on American goods and facilitate the repatriation of undocumented Indian nationals.

‘MIGA + MAGA = MEGA’: Modi’s Branding Move That Resounded with Trump
One of the standout moments of the talks was Modi’s smart branding strategy, playing off Trump’s well-known slogan. “MAGA plus MIGA equals MEGA—A mega partnership for prosperity,” he declared.

CNN pointed out that this messaging was tailored to Trump’s preferences. “It’s clear they had a PR team working on this, and this is exactly the kind of branding that President Trump loves to hear,” Ripley noted.

A Diplomatic Win for Both Sides
Although Trump had repeatedly criticized India’s high tariffs—citing a 70% tax on US automobiles and previous duties of 125% on luxury vehicles—the meeting ended on a positive note. Trump announced that India would be increasing its oil and gas imports from the US, while Modi secured commitments to smoother trade relations.

CNN’s takeaway? Modi “understood the assignment.” Instead of allowing the situation to turn into a diplomatic setback, he leveraged the negotiations to India’s advantage, leaving Washington with concrete achievements and a stronger Indo-US partnership.