Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of trade negotiations with former US President Donald Trump is being hailed as a “masterclass” by CNN, after the two leaders secured key agreements despite escalating tariff tensions. Modi, who faced a potential diplomatic setback when Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on India during his Washington visit, turned the meeting into an opportunity—winning deals on trade, energy, and defense.

Turning a trade setback into a diplomatic win
CNN’s senior international correspondent, Will Ripley, highlighted Modi’s ability to navigate Trump’s unpredictable diplomacy, calling the meeting a lesson for world leaders. “This is a masterclass… to kind of know how they should walk into a negotiation with President Trump to achieve the best possible outcome,” Ripley said.

PM Modi, aware of the pressure from Trump’s tariff moves, skillfully shifted the narrative, securing commitments for increased US investments in India’s nuclear energy sector and progress on defense acquisitions, including potential purchases of F-35 fighter jets. He also reassured Trump of India’s willingness to reduce tariffs on American goods and accept the repatriation of undocumented Indian nationals.
‘MIGA + MAGA = MEGA’: A branding move that clicked with Trump
One of the standout moments of the meeting was Modi’s clever branding move, invoking Trump’s famous slogan with his own spin: “MAGA plus MIGA equals MEGA—A mega partnership for prosperity.”
CNN noted that this kind of messaging was precisely what Trump liked to hear. “Clearly, they might have had a PR team to think that up. And that’s exactly the kind of clever branding that President Trump certainly loves to hear,” Ripley observed.
A win-win outcome
Despite Trump’s pointed criticism of India’s high tariffs—citing a 70% tax on US cars and past tariffs of 125% on luxury vehicles—the two leaders presented their negotiations as a success. Trump declared that India would be “purchasing a lot of our oil and gas,” while PM Modi secured assurances on smoother trade relations.
CNN’s take? PM Modi ‘understood the assignment.’ In a situation where India could have faced a diplomatic setback, the Prime Minister turned the challenge into an opportunity, leaving Washington with tangible gains and a strengthened US-India partnership.