Belgian PM takes veiled swipe at Trump tariffs during India visit

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever drew laughter and applause in Mumbai with a description of tariff policy that appeared aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking at a high-level dialogue on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, he said some governments decide on a measure on Monday, revoke it on Wednesday and restore it on Saturday.

“These days, more and more voices are calling for barriers to go up, for markets to shut off and for tariffs to be imposed. Some do it entirely arbitrarily. They decide something on Monday, revoke it on Wednesday and reinstate it on Saturday,” De Wever said. When the audience applauded, he added, “Your applause tells me that you all know who I am talking about.” He did not name Trump, saying the measures were imposed without economic logic and served one power game after another.

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These days, more and more voices are calling for barriers to go up, for markets to shut off and for tariffs to be imposed. Some do it entirely arbitrarily. They decide something on Monday, revoke it on Wednesday and reinstate it on Saturday.

De Wever also warned against what he described as countries that deliberately and systematically distort markets. He said such policies damage trading partners, make them dependent and turn them into “vassals.” In his view, protectionism and unfair competition place pressure on both the economy and geopolitical stability.

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Your applause tells me that you all know who I am talking about.

The Belgian leader used the visit to outline practical areas for closer cooperation with India. He said the Port of Antwerp-Bruges would bring a full delegation in February next year, including companies and representatives from terminals, logistics, chemicals and energy. “We are not coming to discuss what we might do; we are coming to agree on what we are going to do together,” he said.

De Wever welcomed India’s decision to open maritime services and dredging under the India-EU trade agreement. He pointed to Belgian experience in port construction and dredging, as well as green hydrogen, as areas where the two countries could work together. He said India’s plans to expand green hydrogen production and Belgium’s ambition to become a major northwestern European importer of green molecules created further scope for cooperation.

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We are not coming to discuss what we might do; we are coming to agree on what we are going to do together.