US President Donald Trump on Wednesday described what he called a major trade breakthrough with India, saying the agreement would significantly increase American coal exports as part of the country’s expanding energy reach. Speaking at the “Champion of Coal” event, Trump highlighted the India deal as a key example of what he portrayed as the United States’ growing strength in global energy markets.
He said recent trade arrangements would boost US coal exports and reinforce the country’s position as a leading energy supplier.
“America is now the number one energy producer in the world. We’re becoming a massive energy exporter. In just the past few months, we’ve made historic trade deals with Japan, Korea, India and others to increase our coal exports dramatically. The quality of our coal is supposed to be the finest anywhere in the world,” Trump said.
Trump indicated that the agreement with New Delhi is part of a broader effort to market US coal as a premium product internationally.
In addition to India, he pointed to Japan and South Korea, saying the United States had finalised “historic trade deals” with both countries in recent months.
According to Trump, these agreements are aimed at substantially increasing coal shipments overseas and strengthening America’s export capacity. He also asserted that US coal stands out globally for its quality.
India, US announce trade deal
Last week, the United States and India announced that they had agreed on a framework for an interim trade arrangement, under which New Delhi will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all American industrial goods and a broad range of food and agricultural products, while also committing to purchase USD 500 billion worth of US products over the next 5 years.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the 2 countries said they had reached a framework “regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade.”
The statement said India “intends to purchase USD 500 billion of US energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products and coking coal over the next 5 years.”
It added that the framework reaffirms both sides’ commitment to the broader US India Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations, launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025. The talks are expected to include further market access commitments and measures to strengthen resilient supply chains.
