Trump's 'Mayor of Mar-a-Lago' Sergio Gor engineers US-India trade breakthrough
What's the story
The United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, has been credited with playing a pivotal role in the recent trade deal between the US and India. The agreement was announced by US President Donald Trump, who agreed to reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18%. The deal also lifted a 25% penalty on India's purchase of Russian oil.
Diplomatic shift
Gor's arrival in New Delhi
Gor's arrival in New Delhi in January 2026 is seen as a turning point in US-India relations. His commitment to resolving differences between the two nations had set a positive tone. "Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end," he said during his arrival speech in the presence of hundreds of embassy staff members. Gor also invited India to join Pax Silica, a US initiative for artificial intelligence advanced technology supply chains.
Close connection
Gor's close ties with Trump
Gor's close ties with Trump have also been instrumental in this diplomatic shift. His proximity to the Trump family earned him the nickname "Mayor of Mar-a-Lago." He has been a trusted ally of the US President and was even called "someone I can fully trust to deliver on my agenda" by Trump. His career includes working for Senator Rand Paul and serving as Chief of Staff of the Trump Victory Finance Committee during Trump's re-election campaign in 2020.
Political journey
Gor's career and Trump's influence
Gor co-founded Winning Team Publishing with Donald Trump Jr, a conservative publishing company that released several books associated with the American leader. He was also a senior adviser to MAGA Inc. In November 2024, he was appointed director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. His nomination as US Ambassador to India and as Special Envoy for South and Central Asia came in August 2025.