Helios Capital founder Samir Arora sought to calm nerves around the India-US trade deal’s headline figure of a $500 billion “buy American” commitment, saying such figures are typically framed as long-term rather than short-term intentions.

“I don’t know why people are getting hyper when India has to buy $500 billion from the US. There are no time commitments and all countries have signed similar long-term intentions,” Arora wrote to X.

The veteran fund manager argued that the large dollar figures associated with trade deals are often structured in ways that avoid short-term financial stress. He noted how other major economies have handled similar compromises with the Trump administration.

“For example, Korea says it will invest $200 billion in cash, but with a cap of $20 billion a year to maintain financial stability. No one can reasonably expect such large amounts to be invested in a short period,” he said. “So just relax and enjoy all the elements falling into place.”

To make this point, Arora cited recent trade-related announcements involving the European Union, South Korea and Taiwan. He said that as part of a July 2025 framework trade deal to avoid higher tariffs, the EU pledged to incentivize $600 billion in investment in the US by 2028, targeting strategic sectors.

“While the U.S. considered an important and binding agreement, EU officials pointed out that these commitments are largely based on non-binding intentions from the private sector.”

Similarly, South Korea has committed to a $350 billion investment in the United States, targeting strategic industries, as part of a 2025/2026 deal with the Trump administration to secure reciprocal tariffs lower than 15 percent on auto and other exports. The investment package, he added, includes $200 billion in direct, phased and limited cash installments.

The plan involves total investments of $350 billion, with a “hybrid” model with $200 billion in cash, capped at $20 billion per year to maintain financial stability, the investor said.

A third example he cited was Taiwan’s promise of investment in the US, particularly in advanced sectors. “In January 2026, Taiwan and the United States signed a major trade agreement, with Taiwanese companies committing to at least $250 billion in direct and long-term investment for U.S.-based semiconductor, AI, and energy infrastructure, along with an additional $250 billion in potential credit guarantees,” Arora wrote.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump, while announcing the India-US trade deal, claimed that New Delhi had committed to higher US purchases. “The Prime Minister also pledged to ‘BUY AMERICAN’ at a much higher level, in addition to more than $500 billion in US energy, technology, agriculture, coal and many other products,” he said.

On Trump’s $500 billion claim, government sources have indicated that the figure is for a five-year period and will also include the purchase of aircraft and parts. “We will import goods worth $50-55 billion, just for the data centers, we will need goods worth $20 billion a year,” the source said.