Cruz says Navarro, Vance blocked India trade deal; mocks Trump tariffs in leaked audio

Prominent US Senator Ted Cruz has reportedly blamed White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump for holding up a trade deal with India in phone calls with donors, reported Axios.

According to the leaked audio recordings of Cruz’s phone calls, the Republican senator from Texas told supporters that he was “battling” the White House to secure a trade deal with India.

The Axios report comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US that have been underway for many months now. The talks gained more prominence after US President Donald Trump imposed additional 25% tariffs on India for doing oil trade with Russia, taking the total duties to 50%.