Ex-US NSA calls Trump’s India tariffs ‘worst outcome’, warns of tilt to Russia, China
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has slammed Donald Trump's tariff policy on India, calling it the "worst outcome" for Washington and warning it could push New Delhi closer to Russia and China. He said Trump's heavy-handed tariffs on India contrasted with a softer approach toward Beijing.
New Delhi: Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has criticised former President Donald Trump’s tariff policy towards India, calling it the "worst outcome” for Washington as it risked undoing decades of diplomatic efforts to draw New Delhi closer to the United States and away from Russia and China.
Bolton argued that the tariffs, instead of advancing American strategic goals, have strained relations with India while leaving China largely unaffected. He said Trump’s approach amounted to favouring Beijing over New Delhi, describing it as a potentially "enormous mistake.”
'Tariffs risk backfiring'
According to Bolton, the hefty duties imposed on India, including more than 50 per cent tariffs and an additional 25 per cent secondary tariff on its purchases of Russian oil, were justified by Trump on the grounds that the payments supported Moscow’s war in Ukraine. However, Bolton warned that the policy could push India closer to both Russia and China, undermining US interests.
Speaking to CNN, he noted the irony that "the secondary tariff, intended to hurt Russia, could instead push India closer to Russia and China, and perhaps lead them to negotiate together against the US.” He added, "Trump’s leniency on the Chinese and heavy-handed tariffs on India jeopardise decades of American efforts to bring India away from Russia and China.”
Beijing gets softer deal
In an opinion piece for The Hill, Bolton criticised Trump’s trade stance towards Beijing, suggesting it reflected a willingness to compromise long-term strategic priorities for a short-term agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "The White House seems headed toward more lenient treatment for Beijing on tariff rates and other metrics than it imposed on New Delhi. If so, it will be a potentially enormous mistake,” he wrote.
The additional tariffs have not succeeded in stopping India from importing Russian oil. New Delhi has defended its trade with Moscow, calling the US measures "unfair and unreasonable.” Russia, in turn, has condemned Washington’s actions as illegal trade pressure. Bolton also said that the dispute comes just days before Trump’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He warned that the Kremlin could use the India tariff issue as leverage in broader negotiations, potentially advancing Moscow’s strategic aims at Washington’s expense.