U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter prior to signing an executive order on AI next to Sriram Krishnan, Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX), U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and David O. Sacks, Chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. December 11, 2025. REUTERS/Al Drago
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CNBC TV1826-01-2026, 09:07

Ted Cruz Audio Leak: White House Divided Over India-US Trade Deal

  • A leaked 10-minute audio reveals Senator Ted Cruz criticizing reciprocal tariffs and advocating for a trade deal with India.
  • Cruz's push for a trade deal was reportedly opposed by Vice President JD Vance, Peter Navarro, and sometimes President Trump.
  • The leak highlights internal dissent within the Trump administration regarding trade policy and India-US relations.
  • Cruz has not publicly confirmed or denied the report, while Trump and Vance's spokespersons declined to comment.
  • The incident underscores challenges in India-US trade relations, including tariffs and US demands for access to India's agriculture and dairy sectors.

Why It Matters: Leaked audio shows Ted Cruz pushing for an India-US trade deal, revealing White House divisions and policy hurdles.

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