Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Belgian PM Criticizes Arbitrary Tariffs, Champions India-EU Trade Deal
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever spoke about trade during a meeting in Mumbai, India.
Trade is when countries buy and sell goods and services to each other.
He criticized countries that change tariffs very quickly and without a clear reason.
He did not say Donald Trump’s name, but many listeners thought he was referring to Trump’s trade policies.
The audience applauded, and De Wever joked that they knew whom he meant.
He said the India-European Union trade agreement could help India and Europe handle economic problems more safely.
The agreement is described as covering 2 billion consumers and about one-quarter of the world economy.
Indian and Belgian officials also discussed ports, defence, technology, clean energy and logistics.
They want to double trade between India and Belgium within five years.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever criticized unpredictable tariffs and trade barriers that can be imposed, withdrawn and reinstated within days.
Although he did not name Donald Trump, De Wever’s remarks were widely interpreted as a criticism of the US president’s trade policies.
De Wever said the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement would improve economic resilience against disruption and coercion.
He described the agreement as covering 2 billion consumers and about one-quarter of the global economy; one report said it would reduce or eliminate tariffs on more than 95% of goods.
India and Belgium discussed ports, logistics, maritime connectivity, defence and a target to double bilateral trade within five years.
- Who
- Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Indian and Belgian business representatives.
- What
- De Wever criticized arbitrary and shifting trade barriers, praised the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement and discussed wider India-Belgium cooperation.
- When
- Friday, during De Wever’s three-day official visit to India; he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
- Where
- The India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue in Mumbai, India, with related engagements in New Delhi and Mumbai.
- Why
- De Wever argued that predictable, open trade and closer India-Europe economic ties could strengthen resilience against disruption and coercion.
Supporters of Open, Predictable Trade
Advocates of Protectionist Trade Measures
Tariffs and market access
Supporters of Open, Predictable Trade
De Wever called for open, rules-based markets and criticized tariffs that are imposed, withdrawn or reinstated arbitrarily and without clear economic logic.
Advocates of Protectionist Trade Measures
The articles describe growing calls in some countries for higher barriers, closed markets and tariffs, although they do not provide a detailed justification from those advocating this approach.
India-European Union trade agreement
Supporters of Open, Predictable Trade
De Wever and Fadnavis presented the agreement as a trust-based partnership that could strengthen trade, supply-chain resilience and resistance to economic coercion.
Advocates of Protectionist Trade Measures
The articles do not provide a direct opposing assessment of the India-European Union trade agreement.
Interpretation of De Wever’s remarks
Supporters of Open, Predictable Trade
The audience reaction and the surrounding discussion led reports to interpret his comments as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump’s shifting tariff policies.
Advocates of Protectionist Trade Measures
De Wever did not name Trump directly and described his remarks more broadly as criticism of arbitrary trade decisions, protectionism and market distortions.
- Speaker
- Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever
- Event
- India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement
- Location
- Mumbai, India
- Agreement timing
- De Wever said the India-European Union agreement was concluded in January
- Agreement scale
- A market of 2 billion consumers and approximately one-quarter of the global economy, according to De Wever
- Tariff coverage
- One report said the agreement would eliminate or reduce tariffs on more than 95% of goods
- Trade target
- India and Belgium aim to double bilateral trade within five years
- Additional cooperation
- Defence, clean energy, technology, ports, logistics, maritime connectivity and diamond-sector links
Sources
Belgian Prime Minister takes a dig at ‘arbitrary’ tariffs, praises FTA
Without Taking Trump’s Name, Belgian PM Bart De Wever Takes Veiled Swipe At ‘Arbitrary’ Tariffs In Mumbai
Decide Monday, Revoke Wednesday: Belgian PM Takes Dig At Trump's Tariff, Trade Policies
'Decide Something on Monday, Revoke It on Wednesday': Belgian PM Takes Veiled Dig at Trump's Tariff, Trade Policies
