Marco Rubio discusses reciprocal tariffs with India and Pakistan

US Secretary of State emphasizes balanced trade and regional cooperation in phone calls with South Asian counterparts.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gestures while delivering a statement during the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels on April 4, 2025. Photo by Jacquelyn Martin/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discusses reciprocal tariffs with India and Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of balanced trade and diplomatic cooperation in a series of phone calls held Monday, April 7. The conversations came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose significant import tariffs on several countries, including a 29 percent tariff on Pakistan and a 26 percent tariff on India. These measures sent shockwaves through global markets and triggered immediate diplomatic engagement.

According to US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, Rubio thanked Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for Pakistan’s cooperation in the recent capture and extradition of ISIS terrorist Mohammad Sharifullah. The extradition, which Bruce described as a major step in bilateral counterterrorism efforts, was hailed as a sign of deepening security ties between Washington and Islamabad.

However, the core of the discussion centered on trade. Rubio raised concerns about the current imbalances in trade between the US and Pakistan, while expressing openness to progress through reciprocal agreements.

“Both sides acknowledged the need for fair and balanced trade relations,” Bruce said.

Trump’s tariffs stir global response

The context behind Rubio’s outreach lies in President Trump’s latest move on the global economic chessboard. In what many critics call a return to aggressive protectionism, Trump last week introduced fresh tariffs targeting multiple countries. The move, which the White House framed as a push toward more equitable trade, sparked sharp reactions from governments and rattled international investors.

The new tariffs included heavy levies on key trading partners, with South Asian countries receiving notable attention. Pakistan was hit with a 29 percent tariff on select imports, while India faced a 26 percent tariff. The United States argued that these measures were necessary to correct long-standing trade deficits and to encourage more market access for American businesses.

In response, Marco Rubio’s diplomatic engagement aimed to soften the backlash and reassure partners that Washington remained committed to cooperation—albeit on revised terms.

Critical minerals and commercial opportunity

Rubio’s phone call with Ishaq Dar also touched on potential future collaboration in mining and resource development. The Secretary of State highlighted the possibility of US involvement in the mining of critical minerals, which are essential to advanced technologies and clean energy industries.

“These kinds of partnerships are not only economic but strategic,” Rubio said, according to the State Department. “We see opportunities for responsible investment and joint development that can benefit both nations.”

Dar, in turn, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to economic reforms and recounted the country’s efforts to combat terrorism between 2013 and 2018. He noted that these efforts had come at a high cost—both in human lives and financial resources. Pakistan, he emphasized, remained a reliable partner in the global fight against extremism.

The two diplomats also addressed the situation in neighboring Afghanistan. Rubio stressed the need for cooperation in managing leftover US military equipment and ensuring that such assets did not fall into the wrong hands.

A strategic dialogue with India

Meanwhile, Rubio’s call with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar covered similar ground, particularly on trade and strategic collaboration. Both leaders reaffirmed the strength of the US-India partnership, which has been growing in importance as Washington looks to the Indo-Pacific as a central theater in its geopolitical strategy.

Jaishankar confirmed the exchange in a post on the X platform (formerly Twitter), noting that they “agreed on the importance of early completion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement.” This long-discussed agreement aims to eliminate trade barriers and create smoother flows of goods and services between the two democracies.

In addition to trade, Rubio and Jaishankar discussed broader regional issues, including developments in the Indian subcontinent, Indo-Pacific, Europe, West Asia, and the Caribbean. Their conversation reflected the global nature of US-India engagement, spanning defense, economic development, climate action, and digital infrastructure.

Rubio also reaffirmed the US commitment to enhancing its presence in the Indo-Pacific and emphasized the role India plays as a pillar of regional stability and economic growth.

Diplomacy amid disruption

The calls reflect a strategic balancing act for the US. On one hand, the Trump administration’s tariff hikes aim to reassert American economic interests and protect domestic industries. On the other, such moves risk alienating key allies, especially at a time when Washington is seeking strong coalitions to counter rising global threats—from authoritarian expansionism to energy insecurity.

Rubio’s outreach is part of a broader diplomatic strategy to cushion the impact of these tough trade measures and keep dialogue open. By addressing economic grievances while reinforcing shared values and security interests, the US hopes to avoid further deterioration of ties with pivotal regional players like India and Pakistan.

The road ahead for US-South Asia relations

Looking forward, the talks set the stage for further negotiations. Analysts expect more bilateral meetings and a potential roadmap for easing tensions caused by the new tariffs. In both Islamabad and New Delhi, leaders have emphasized their willingness to maintain dialogue but have also called on the US to reconsider punitive economic measures.

Whether Rubio’s efforts bear fruit remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that trade has become an increasingly political issue—intertwined with national security, energy development, and diplomatic alignments.

As the world watches how these dynamics unfold, the US finds itself walking a fine line between economic assertiveness and international cooperation.

In summary, Marco Rubio discusses reciprocal tariffs with India and Pakistan as Washington attempts to navigate the fallout from President Trump’s recent tariff hikes. By engaging in high-level diplomacy and offering pathways for strategic cooperation, the Secretary of State has positioned the US for a possible recalibration of its South Asia trade policy. As tensions persist, the success of these efforts may determine not only the future of US economic engagement in the region but also the broader shape of global diplomacy in an era of renewed nationalism.