Howard Lutnick has pressed BRICS members to open up their markets and stop acting against American interests

The US needs to "fix" countries such as India and Brazil so that they open their markets and do not act against Washington's interests, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed on Saturday.

Last month, US President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on most imports from both BRICS members.

"We have a bunch of countries to fix, like Switzerland, Brazil, India - these are countries that need to really react correctly to America," Lutnick said in an interview with NewsNation. "Open their markets, stop taking actions that harm America, and that's why we're off sides with them."

New Delhi and Washington have resumed trade talks that were suspended in August, although the two sides do not currently appear to be close to signing a trade agreement. 

Earlier this month, Lutnick said the US will "sort out" a trade deal with India after the South Asian nation stops buying Russian oil and opens up its market. 

In his interview on Saturday, the commerce secretary added that although trade negotiations with several countries are ongoing, India and Brazil are considered a priority on the US trade agenda.

Lutnick also said it was Trump's negotiating style to offer the best possible agreement first, while subsequent offers would become progressively more stringent.

India and the US had planned to finalize an interim trade agreement by August. However, talks encountered a roadblock due to disagreements over American demands for greater access to India's agricultural and dairy sectors - areas which New Delhi considers economically and politically sensitive.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforced this stance last month by pledging to "stand like a wall" to safeguard the interests of Indian farmers.

Last week, a delegation led by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Washington for trade negotiations. The two sides agreed to continue to push for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial agreement, according to official statements.