Leaked audio recordings reveal that U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has accused White House officials, including Vice President JD Vance, trade advisor Peter Navarro, and at times, former President Donald Trump, of obstructing a potential trade deal between the United States and India. The recordings, obtained by Axios, reportedly capture Cruz telling donors in private meetings that he was "battling" the White House to secure the agreement.

According to the leaked audio, when asked by a donor about who within the administration was resistant to the trade deal, Cruz named Navarro, Vance, and "sometimes" Trump. The recordings, which date back to mid or late 2025, shed light on the internal conflicts within the Trump administration regarding trade, tariffs, and foreign policy. Axios independently verified the authenticity of the recordings but did not release them publicly.

Cruz also criticized Trump's tariff policies, warning that continued protectionist measures could devastate the U.S. economy. He suggested that Trump's tariffs could trigger a political "bloodbath" in the 2026 midterm elections if Americans experience falling retirement savings and rising grocery prices. Cruz recalled a tense phone call in April 2025, during which he and other senators urged Trump to reconsider the tariffs, but claimed Trump responded with anger and profanity.

In the recordings, Cruz also claimed that Vance is politically aligned with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and accused them of orchestrating the removal of former national security advisor Mike Waltz and backing the appointment of Daniel Davis to a senior intelligence role.

Despite the reported internal discord, Trump has publicly expressed optimism about U.S.-India trade relations. While speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed confidence in securing a trade deal.

A spokesperson for Cruz defended the senator, calling him "the president's greatest ally in the Senate". Tucker Carlson denied any role in the removal of Waltz or the appointment of Davis.

The revelations raise questions about the obstacles facing stalled trade negotiations between the U.S. and India and the influence of protectionist voices within the U.S. administration. The proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the two countries, first announced by PM Modi in February 2025, is aimed at significantly boosting bilateral trade.