US Republican Senator Ted Cruz has claimed that he is “battling” the White House to secure a trade deal with India, according to purported leaked audio recordings that have surfaced online. The recordings indicate internal disagreements within the Republican Party over US trade policy and relations with New Delhi.
According to an Axios report, the leaked phone calls allegedly feature Cruz blaming White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald Trump for delaying the trade agreement with India. In the recordings, Cruz is heard telling his supporters that he has been pushing back against senior administration officials to move the deal forward.
What did Ted Cruz say in the leaked audio?
The purported leaked audio reportedly captures conversations between Cruz and donors, during which he criticizes the administration’s trade approach. Cruz is said to have warned President Trump that imposing sweeping tariffs could carry political consequences.
“You’re going to lose the House, you’re going to lose the Senate, you’re going to spend the next two years being impeached every single week,” Cruz reportedly told Trump while arguing against the tariffs, according to the report.
Tariffs and tensions over India trade
The audio refers to the tariffs announced by the Trump administration in April last year under what was termed the “Liberation Day” trade measures. During this period, the US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, which was later increased to 50 per cent in August, citing concerns over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
India has maintained that the tariffs were unjustified and unreasonable. New Delhi has stated that, like any major economy, it will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests and economic security.
Ted Cruz’s past remarks on India-US ties
Cruz has previously spoken positively about India-US relations. During his visit to India in 2019, the Texas senator described India and the United States as natural allies, highlighting shared democratic values and strategic interests.
“We’re blessed to have over a half million Indian-Americans living in the great state of Texas,” Cruz had said at the time, adding that cooperation between the two countries was vital to promote free markets, fair commerce, and to counter shared geopolitical challenges, including China.
Latest signals on India-US trade negotiations
Trade negotiations between India and the United States have been ongoing for several months, though there has been no official confirmation on their current status. However, senior US officials have hinted at possible changes.
Recently, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Politico that the Trump administration may be considering reducing tariffs on India by 25 per cent. “The tariffs are still on. I would imagine there is a path to take them off,” he said, citing claims that Indian refineries have reduced purchases of Russian oil.
India has reiterated that its energy policies are guided by prevailing global market conditions and national requirements. Indian officials have not publicly commented on Bessent’s remarks.