India29 October, 20252 min read
Trump Calls India’s Modi a Killer While Pushing Imminent US-India Trade Deal
Trump called PM Modi 'nicest looking guy,' 'a killer,' and 'tough as hell' during APEC speech. Trump claimed he pressured India and Pakistan with 250% tariffs to broker their May ceasefire.
29 outlets told this the same way.
Trump Praises Modi at APEC
At the APEC summit events in South Korea, Donald Trump praised India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi with strikingly mixed descriptors. He called Modi “a killer,” “tough as hell,” and also “the nicest looking guy” and “like a father.” Trump mentioned that he was working on or expecting an imminent US‑India trade deal.
“Trump also announced that a trade deal between the US and India is imminent.”
Multiple outlets noted that Trump imitated Modi’s accent while recounting their talks. Asian media emphasized the warmth of the interaction and the trade discussions, reporting that a deal is either “imminent” or that Washington is “working on” one. Western mainstream coverage focused on the stark language Trump used about Modi and the setting in South Korea.
Trump's Claims on India-Pakistan Conflict
Trump claimed he personally helped halt hostilities between India and Pakistan. He said he refused trade deals while the two countries were fighting and threatened massive tariffs. Trump asserted that both sides stood down within two days of his actions.
Several news outlets report that India rejected any third-party mediation role in the conflict. Some accounts include dramatic details, such as seven planes being shot down and a 250% tariff threat. Independent analyses highlight discrepancies in these claims and note the lack of an official timeline for any related trade agreement.
Trade tensions and oil imports
Trade remains a central aspect of the situation. Asian and regional sources highlight that Washington imposed steep tariffs, often described as up to 50%, partly related to India’s purchases of Russian oil. At the same time, Trump claims he is working towards a new or imminent trade deal.
“Trump claimed that Modi promised to significantly reduce India's Russian oil imports by the end of the year.”
One Western alternative source reports Trump’s statement that Modi promised to sharply reduce Russian oil imports by the end of the year. However, another Asian source notes that India denied earlier assurances about stopping such imports. Meanwhile, some reports warn that despite optimistic statements, no timeline or details of a trade agreement have been announced.
Media Reactions to Political Remarks
The political optics diverge sharply across coverage. A local Western outlet questions Trump’s mental state after his “killer” remark. An Asian daily warns his words could provide ammunition to Modi’s rivals during a crucial state campaign and strain ties.
Another Western mainstream source highlights online mockery and India’s rejection of his peacemaker claims. An Asian outlet adds that Modi recently skipped an ASEAN summit reportedly to avoid meeting Trump. Western mainstream reporting also keeps to a terse account of the labels and setting.
Trump's Remarks on Pakistan and Trade
Several outlets highlight Trump's simultaneous praise for Pakistani leaders alongside various economic claims. One report states he commended Pakistan’s prime minister and military leadership as "great fighters." Another source specifically names the army chief, while an Asian outlet mentions praise for Shehbaz Sharif.
“Additionally, Trump complimented Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling him a ‘great fighter’ and ‘a great guy.’”
In contrast, a different account cites Nawaz Sharif, indicating inconsistent attributions of the praise. A business-focused note suggests that tariffs could reduce the US trade deficit by trillions. An Asian timeline dates these remarks to October 29, 2025, and reiterates Trump's claim that trade pressure led to rapid de-escalation.
