Trump's proposed 50% tariffs on India may lead to unwanted repercussions, as warned by Bolton.
The former US National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has criticised President Donald Trump's imposition of steep tariffs on India, describing it as an "enormous mistake" that risks damaging the long-term US-India relationship and undermining decades of American strategic efforts to pull India away from Russia and China.
Bolton's opinion piece, published in The Hill, cautions that the situation could worsen if China secures a better trade deal, potentially inflaming Trump's "resentment for India." He argues that the tariffs, which range from 10% to 41%, are "backward and damaging," and an "unforced error" that could push India closer to Russia and China rather than weaken their alliance.
The tariffs, announced on August 1, follow Trump's earlier "Liberation Day" tariffs of April 2, which were paused for 90 days to allow for trade negotiations. India currently faces a 25% duty due to the lack of an agreement with Washington.
Bolton points out the inconsistent US policy in selectively penalising India while sparing China, which also imports Russian oil but faced no comparable tariffs or secondary sanctions. He accuses Trump of being lenient on China while imposing heavy penalties on India, despite China's much larger trade surplus with the US.
The criticism highlights that the tariffs risk hurting bilateral trust and cooperation, and could jeopardise ongoing trade and geopolitical ties. Bolton warns that the tariffs may drive India closer to Moscow and Beijing, counteracting US policy objectives related to the Ukraine conflict and broader Indo-Pacific dynamics.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, reiterated his commitment to protecting the interests of farmers, fishermen, and dairy producers. He emphasised that agricultural and rural livelihoods remain India's top priority in any trade negotiation. Modi stated that he would not compromise on these issues, even if it means paying a heavy price.
Despite Bolton's criticism, it remains unclear what specific consequences India's continued purchase of Russian oil will have, or whether Trump's tariffs will indeed drive India into the arms of its geopolitical rivals. However, Bolton's warning serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks of Trump's tariff policy for US-India relations.
[1] Bolton, J. (2020). Trump's Tariffs on India are a Mistake. The Hill. [2] Natarajan, S. (2020). John Bolton's Warning on Trump's Tariffs and US-India Relations. The Diplomat. [3] Shah, A. (2020). Bolton Slams Trump's Tariffs on India, Warns of Damage to US-India Relations. India Today. [4] Panda, A. (2020). Bolton: Trump's Tariffs on India are a Mistake that Could Push India Closer to China and Russia. The Wire. [5] Chaudhury, S. (2020). Bolton: Trump's Tariffs on India are a Mistake that Could Damage US-India Relations. The Hindu.
- John Bolton's opinion piece, published in The Hill, raises concerns that Trump's tariffs on India could lead to a worsening situation, potentially driving India closer to China and Russia, counteracting US policy objectives related to war-and-conflicts, such as the Ukraine conflict, and broader policy-and-legislation dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The ongoing dispute between India and the US over trade tariffs encompasses not just politics, but also general-news issues such as agricultural interests and geopolitical alliances, with Bolton's criticism serving as a reminder of the potential long-term consequences of Trump's tariff policy for US-India relations.
