New York, March 5: As he doubled down on his threats to impose reciprocal tariffs, President Donald Trump accused India of charging tariffs higher than 100 per cent on autos, even though India has slashed the highest rate to 70 per cent.

“India charges auto tariffs higher than 100 per cent,” he said in his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, outlining his policies.

However, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her budget last month that the tariffs on luxury cars were being cut to 70 per cent from 125 per cent.

She also cut tariffs on high-end motorcycles from 50 per cent to 40 per cent.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is to visit Washington to discuss tariffs with US officials.

“Countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them,” Trump said, justifying his programme of raising tariffs.

The reciprocal tariffs would come into effect on April 2.

“Whatever they tariff us,” he declared, “we will tariff them.”

“China’s average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them, and South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher,” he said, also mentioning Brazil.

His speech came the day when his 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10 per cent came into effect.

Trump admitted that tariffs would cause “a little disturbance” and “there could be an adjustment period” but asserted that it would make the US richer.

That was meant to inoculate himself against criticism of the effects of the tariffs.

The stock markets have been down by more than three per cent in the last two days and retailers have warned of impending increase in prices of groceries.

Tariffs by India on imports from the US have been one of Trump’s favourite talking points. In the past, he has mentioned the Indian tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles and whiskey.

Washington, March 5: President Donald Trump told American lawmakers in a joint sitting of Congress that he is “working tirelessly” to end the Ukraine-Russia war and that he has received strong signals that Moscow wants the same.

Trump on Tuesday read from a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky he had received earlier in the day, saying he was willing to work “under” the leadership of the American President to bring peace.

Trump addressed lawmakers for almost two hours highlighting the achievements of his administration in the two months of taking office. He spoke at length on the executive actions on immigration, economy, trade, health, education and law and order.

“I am also working tirelessly to end the savage conflict in Ukraine,” the US President said, adding, “Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict, with no end in sight. The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defence. Meanwhile, Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine — by far! And Biden has authorised more money in this fight than Europe has spent.”

President Trump also read out a letter he said he had received from President Zelensky.

“I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine,” he said, adding, “The letter reads, Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians.”

Reading out the letter, Trump said, “He (Zelensky) said, My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you. I appreciate that he sent this letter.”

Trump did not offer his response to this outreach from the Ukrainian leader who is trying to make amends for the explosive exchange in the Oval Office with President Trump and Vice-President J D Vance last Friday.

“Simultaneously,” the American leader said further, “We’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”

Cairo/Gaza, March 5: Arab leaders have approved an Egyptian reconstruction plan for Gaza, which is estimated to cost $53 billion and aims to avoid displacing Palestinians from the enclave.

The plan was accepted at the closing of the emergency Arab summit held on Tuesday in Cairo with full support from participating Arab leaders, Xinhua news agency reported.

The summit also agreed to form a non-factional technocratic committee to administer Gaza for at least six months under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority.

Following the summit, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told a press conference that Egypt will begin to promote its reconstruction plan internationally.

He detailed that the plan includes the establishment of a seaport and an airport in the Gaza Strip and the recycling of the rubble left by the destruction in Gaza.

According to the summit’s final statement, the Arab leaders issued a warning that any attempts to displace the Palestinian people or to annex any part of the occupied Palestinian territory would lead the region into a new phase of conflict, undermine opportunities for stability, and expand the conflict to other countries in the region.

The Arab leaders pledged to provide all types of financial, material, and political support for the implementation of the reconstruction plan, urging the international community and financing institutions to promptly provide the necessary support for the plan, according to the statement.

The Arab leaders also emphasised the urgency of implementing the second and third phases of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, stressing the importance of each party’s commitment to its obligations, particularly the Israeli side, to achieve a permanent cessation of “aggression” against Gaza.

They demanded that Israel should completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip, including the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt, and ensure safe, adequate, and immediate access to humanitarian, shelter, and medical aid without obstacles.

The Arab leaders vowed to work on establishing a trust fund to receive financial pledges from all donor countries and financing institutions to implement recovery and reconstruction projects.

The plan counters a previous proposal by US President Donald Trump, which suggests redeveloping Gaza and relocating Gazans to neighbouring countries, including Egypt and Jordan.

Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, rejected the plan on X, reiterating Israel’s support for Trump’s plan.

For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the UN’s readiness to back the Egypt-drafted plan, stressing that Gaza should remain as part of the State of Palestine.

Describing the situation in Gaza as “horrific,” Guterres called for allowing humanitarian aid into the enclave.

Hamas welcomed the summit’s outcomes, saying that they reflect significant political support for the Palestinian cause, particularly amid the escalation of “Israeli aggression”.

In a press statement, Hamas praised the positions of Arab leaders during the summit, highlighting their rejection of attempts to displace Palestinians or undermine their cause.

Hamas stressed that the unified Arab stance sends a clear message that the Palestinian “Nakba,” the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, will not be repeated.

The group also commended the summit’s adoption of the Gaza reconstruction plan, calling for all necessary resources to ensure its success.