Trump's decision to impose heavy tariffs on India has raised eyebrows, particularly the 50% tariff on goods, which includes an additional 25% secondary tariff for India's continued importation of Russian oil. This policy has sparked a tense trade dispute, positioning the U. S. against one of its key democratic allies in Asia, at a time when international relations are marked by geopolitical uncertainty. These actions have not only strained the economic relationship between the U. S. and India but also risk undoing years of American efforts to move India away from its traditional alliances with Russia and China.
India, historically reliant on Russia for military and energy supplies, has faced growing pressure from the West to scale back its ties with Moscow, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While India has refrained from condemning Russia outright, it has also called for a peaceful resolution to the war, positioning itself as a neutral player on the global stage. However, Bolton suggests that Trump's trade policies, by imposing punitive measures against India for engaging with Russia, could push India closer to Russia and complicate efforts to strengthen the U. S.-India strategic partnership.
The tariffs imposed by Trump have been framed as part of a broader strategy to punish countries that continue to support Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. For Trump, this has meant leveraging economic tools like tariffs to compel countries to align more closely with U. S. foreign policy objectives. However, critics argue that his tactics risk alienating strategic allies, particularly in Asia, where China’s growing influence poses a more immediate concern.
Trump’s administration has been characterised by a mixed approach to international trade. On one hand, he waged a trade war with China, imposing tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese goods in an attempt to curb what he viewed as unfair trade practices. On the other hand, his stance on India appears less coherent. While Trump briefly escalated the trade conflict with China, his administration has been more lenient with Beijing since, creating further confusion about the consistency of U. S. foreign policy. Bolton’s criticism of this strategy stems from his view that Trump’s administration was too lenient on China while simultaneously punishing India, a democratic ally in a region crucial to U. S. interests.
The U. S.-India relationship has been one of the cornerstones of U. S. foreign policy in Asia, with both countries sharing concerns over China’s expanding influence in the region. Over the years, the U. S. has worked to deepen economic, military, and diplomatic ties with India, hoping to counterbalance China’s growing power. Trump's approach, which Bolton suggests was marked by inconsistency and punitive tariffs, seems to undermine these efforts. According to Bolton, Trump's policies could have long-lasting repercussions for U. S. influence in Asia, pushing India further into Russia’s orbit and complicating efforts to counter China’s rise.
Bolton’s remarks underline the broader strategic challenges the U. S. faces in balancing its relationships with both India and China. While the U. S. has attempted to position India as a counterweight to China’s regional dominance, Trump’s trade policies have made this delicate balancing act more difficult. The imposition of tariffs on India, which are framed as a punitive measure against Moscow, risks alienating India at a time when the U. S. needs to secure India’s support in the region.
In his comments, Bolton further cautions that Trump’s policies towards both India and China could result in a strategic misstep. By favouring China in some areas and applying heavy tariffs on India, Trump has complicated the U. S.'s position in a region critical to its long-term geopolitical strategy. Bolton argues that this imbalance could be an “enormous mistake” for the U. S., especially as China’s influence continues to grow and India becomes a more pivotal player in the global arena.