Trump Admin official Howard Lutnick came under criticism on Sunday following his interview with Axios. During the interview, the United States Secretary of Commerce demanded India buy American corn. His plea was also accompanied with his usual rants against Indian tariffs.
Howard Lutnick said in the interview, “India Brags that they have 1.4 Billion people, then why wouldn’t they buy one Bushel(25.40Kg) of corn from us. They won’t buy our corn. They put down tariffs on everything. You either accept it or you are going to have a tough time doing business with the world’s greatest consumer.”
“India Brags that they have 1.4 Billion people, then why wouldn’t they buy one Bushel(25.40Kg) of corn from us. They won’t buy our corn?”
— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) September 14, 2025
I am sorry to inform you but Trump's Attack Dog Howard Lutnick is at it again@howardlutnick pic.twitter.com/jKt5Pti0K4
This is not the first time that the Trump official has made such comments on India. Earlier this month, Lutnick had claimed that India will ‘say sorry’ in 2 months time. Lutnick’s caustic remarks against India come at a time when Donald Trump is playing the good cop through public overtures towards the Indian Government.
Indians mock Howard Lutnick for ‘Buy Our Corn’ plea
Indians on social media are not pleased with Lutnick. And they are making their opinions known. Author and Geopolitical Observer Navroop Singh said that the ‘bully’ will soon realise he has no cards to play.
And Howard Lutnick goes again on India says why doesn’t India buy US Corn. Either u remove the barriers or face tough times he says in an interview to Axios ! The Bully will soon realise he doesn’t have the cards pic.twitter.com/62SeFucKpa
— Navroop Singh (@TheNavroopSingh) September 14, 2025
Another user pointed out that a huge section of American farmers are on the verge of bankruptcy. If India does not buy American corn or soy, they could go bankrupt. This will have a significant impact on the Midterm Elections next year.
Just a reminder that 96% farmers in US are white and a third are on verge of bankruptcy.
— do'o kappa (@viprabuddhi) September 14, 2025
If India doesn't buy their corn or soy, they will go broke.
Mid term elections are next year, so Republicans will get washed out from the backlash.pic.twitter.com/le5KHXa9X1 https://t.co/nYqKU6XH2z
Others resorted to humour to mock Lutnick.
I know where you can put the corn https://t.co/pQDMu6kKgB pic.twitter.com/YrgW0mfzXX
— Nirmalya Dutta (@NonsensicalNemo) September 14, 2025
You wanna sell corn, Lutnick? https://t.co/cLem2GJJ5y pic.twitter.com/ddwWS8nYT8
— The Somnambulist (सोता चेतन) (@sotachetan) September 14, 2025
One user pointed out that Indians cannot be expected to save American agriculture.
We cannot save US agriculture – lol https://t.co/N3RwswA14Q
— Jack Rangaswami (@JackRangaswami) September 14, 2025
It appears that the Trump administration is playing the ‘Good Cop-Bad Cop’ routine with India. Donald Trump himself makes conciliatory approaches while Howard Lutnick and Peter Navarro continue their disrespectful tirades against India.
Why Trump Admin wants India to buy American agricultural products
The reason for agricultural distress in the USA is the Trump Tariffs. China used to be the biggest buyer for a lot of American agricultural products. But due to tariffs, China has decided to look for alternative sellers. This has left farmers in the USA in a financial struggle.
While American farmers strongly supported Donald Trump for President, his policies have left them in a precarious position. Although Lutnick and Navarro have continued to target India, recent developments indicate that negotiation are continuing in the background.
