Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever appeared to take a subtle dig at US President Donald Trump while speaking about global trade policies during his visit to Mumbai. Addressing the India-Belgium High Level Dialogue on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, De Wever criticised countries that impose tariffs and change trade rules unpredictably. Without mentioning Trump directly, De Wever referred to governments that raise trade barriers, shut markets and introduce tariffs without what he described as a clear economic rationale. He pointed to situations where policies can be announced and then withdrawn or changed within days.

His comments drew laughter and applause from the audience. De Wever then indicated that those listening understood which country and leader he was referring to, making the reference to Trump's trade approach difficult to miss. The Belgian leader argued that unpredictable protectionist measures can create uncertainty for businesses and put pressure on international trade. He warned that such policies could also affect wider economic and geopolitical stability by making countries more dependent on individual markets. De Wever used the discussion to highlight the importance of the India European Union Free Trade Agreement. He described closer economic cooperation between India and Europe as a way to build greater resilience against external pressure and disruptions in global trade.

His remarks came during a three day official visit to India, during which Belgium and India also discussed expanding cooperation in areas including trade, defence, clean energy, critical minerals, semiconductors and technology. The two countries have also set an ambition to significantly increase bilateral trade over the coming years. De Wever also stressed that open economies such as Belgium and India cannot afford to become isolated as trade tensions increase globally. He called for stronger partnerships and more predictable rules to support businesses and maintain economic stability. The Belgian Prime Minister's comments come at a time when tariff disputes and protectionist policies have become major issues in international economic relations. His remarks in Mumbai therefore placed the India-EU trade partnership in the broader context of growing uncertainty in global commerce.