- Ted Cruz blamed JD Vance and Peter Navarro for resisting a trade deal with India
- Cruz said President Trump was “sometimes” part of the resistance
- He warned tariffs could tank markets, raise prices, and trigger impeachment pressure
- India-US trade ties remain strained under steep US tariffs
- Officials now signal possible relief on some India-related tariffs
Senator Ted Cruz privately criticized vice president JD Vance, White House economic adviser Peter Navarro, and at times, even President Donald Trump for slowing progress on trade negotiations with India, according to an Axios report citing a leaked donor recording from early to mid-2025.
The recording, which lasts nearly 10 minutes, captures Cruz speaking candidly to donors about internal disagreements within the Trump administration over trade policy. The Texas Republican portrayed himself as increasingly frustrated by what he described as resistance from key administration figures to finalizing a trade agreement with India.
According to the report, Cruz singled out Navarro and Vice President Vance as actively “battling” efforts within the White House to move forward on a deal. He also said that President Trump himself was “sometimes” aligned with that resistance. Cruz used the conversation to position himself as a traditional pro-free trade Republican, emphasizing US global engagement and distancing himself from what he characterized as Vance’s more inward-looking economic worldview.
The comments come as Cruz is widely viewed as laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential run. In the recording, he framed his trade views as consistent with long-standing Republican economic principles, while warning that protectionist policies could have severe consequences.
Cruz also raised alarm about Trump’s tariff strategy, telling donors that it could seriously harm the U.S. economy and expose the president to political danger. He warned that sustained economic pain, particularly rising consumer prices and falling retirement savings, could lead to electoral losses and even pressure for impeachment.
He recalled a tense late-night phone call in early April 2025, shortly after Trump announced new tariffs. Cruz said he and a small group of senators urged the president to reconsider. According to Cruz, the call went poorly and stretched past midnight, with Trump reportedly angry, shouting, and using strong language.
During that conversation, Cruz said he warned Trump that a sharp decline in 401(k) values combined with higher grocery prices could lead to a devastating election outcome in 2026. He told donors he cautioned the president that such a scenario could result in Republicans losing control of both the House and Senate, followed by constant impeachment efforts. Cruz said Trump reacted sharply to that warning.
The remarks surfaced at a sensitive moment for India-US relations. The United States imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods beginning in August last year, including a 25 per cent penalty on imports of Russian crude oil and defense equipment. While both governments continue to describe their relationship as strong, negotiations toward a comprehensive trade agreement have stalled.
Indian textile and seafood exports have been hit hardest by the tariffs, with additional pressure on sectors such as gems and jewelry and auto components. However, there are signs of potential relief.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently suggested the additional 25 per cent tariff could be lifted, noting that India’s purchases of Russian oil have declined significantly. He indicated there may be a pathway toward easing the trade restrictions, offering cautious optimism for Indian exporters despite the tariffs remaining in place for now.
