Belgian Prime Minister takes a dig at ‘arbitrary’ tariffs, praises FTA

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever criticized US President Donald Trump's tariff policy, accusing countries of imposing trade barriers "arbitrarily" without any economic logic. At the India-Belgium high-level dialogue on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Mumbai, De Wever warned that such policies distort markets and harm trade partners by creating dependency.

He emphasized that protectionism and unfair competition strain the global economy and geopolitical stability. De Wever announced that a Belgian delegation would visit India in February 2027 to explore business opportunities. The India-EU FTA, according to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, is a "win-win agreement" that would benefit farmers, start-ups, and women entrepreneurs while safeguarding sensitive sectors on both sides.

Goyal highlighted the complementary nature of the Indian and Belgian economies. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis touted Maharashtra as the ideal destination for Belgian investment after the FTA, urging Belgian companies to visit the state. Fadnavis encouraged fast-tracking of projects and pledged dedicated support for prospective investors, stating that Maharashtra is ready to convert strategic direction into action.