Washington: A leaked audio recording of private calls by US Republican Senator Ted Cruz has intensified scrutiny over stalled trade negotiations between the United States and India, revealing internal disagreements within the Trump administration over trade policy and tariffs.
According to the recordings obtained and reported by Axios and cited in media outlets, Senator Cruz privately told donors that he had been “battling” members of the White House to push forward a comprehensive trade deal with India — a pact that has seen prolonged delays even as formal negotiations continue.
In the leaked audio — recorded in early and mid-2025 — Cruz specifically blamed key figures including White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, Vice President J.D. Vance, and “sometimes” President Donald Trump for blocking progress on the bilateral trade agreement.
The comments come against the backdrop of heightened tariff tensions. The Trump administration’s tariff measures — which include an additional 25 per cent levy on Indian imports tied to energy trade with Russia, bringing the total duties to 50 per cent — have already raised concerns in New Delhi and Washington alike and complicated negotiations.
Internal Republican Divisions Highlighted
The recordings portray deepeni
ng divisions within the Republican Party on economic policy. Cruz, a long-time free-trade advocate, reportedly criticised Trump’s tariff strategy and warned that protectionist measures could hurt American consumers and investors. In the discussions, he cautioned that higher prices and reduced retirement savings could have electoral consequences for Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, potentially costing the party control of the U.S. House and Senate.
Cruz also framed himself in the leaked comments as a traditional, pro-interventionist Republican, contrasting his stance with what he described as the less hawkish approach of figures like Vance. Some reports suggest that Cruz is positioning for a possible 2028 presidential run.
The Axios report notes that Cruz’s criticisms were made in private donor meetings and thus have not been publicly aired by the senator himself. Media outlets emphasise that the authenticity of the audio has not been independently verified by reporting organisations.
Ongoing Trade Negotiations
Despite the setbacks highlighted by the leak, officials from both countries have continued dialogue. Formal India-US trade talks began in March-April 2025, after an initial agreement to start discussions earlier in the year. U.S. officials, including President Trump, have publicly expressed optimism about eventually reaching a deal — even while tariffs remain high and diplomatic negotiations proceed.
India, for its part, continues to negotiate on key market access and tariff concerns, amid broader concerns about global trade stability and economic cooperation with the United States — currently one of its largest trading partners.