Belgian PM criticizes Trump's tariff policies during India visit

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever criticized "arbitrary" tariff policies and protectionism, in an apparent rebuke of US President Donald Trump, during a speech in Mumbai on Friday, while advocating for open markets and rules-based trade. Speaking at the India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, De Wever said some countries impose and revoke tariffs unpredictably, drawing applause and a quip that the audience knew whom he meant. He praised the India-EU trade deal as a major step toward economic resilience. De Wever also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a wise leader amid global uncertainty, and highlighted Belgium's ports as vital to free trade. His visit included agreements on defence cooperation and a target to double bilateral trade within five years.