New Delhi: In a fresh salvo against India, US President Donald Trump has declared that New Delhi’s offer to slash tariffs to zero comes “too late,” intensifying tensions between the world’s two largest democracies.
Accusing India of maintaining a “one-sided” trade relationship, Trump’s remarks, posted on Truth Social, come at a time when India’s robust diplomacy with Russia and China at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin has raised eyebrows in Washington.
A One-Sided Trade Relationship?
Trump’s latest critique paints India as a trade juggernaut that sells “massive amounts” of goods to the US while buying little in return. “Few people understand that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount with us,” he wrote, claiming India imposes the highest tariffs of any nation, stifling American businesses. He also took aim at India’s reliance on Russian oil and military equipment, noting that New Delhi purchases “very little” from the US in these sectors.
India’s recent offer to reduce tariffs to “nothing” was dismissed by Trump as belated. “They should have done this years ago,” he said, suggesting the window for reconciliation has closed. The remarks follow the US imposition of a steep 50% tariff on Indian exports, comprising a 25% reciprocal levy and an additional 25% penalty tied to India’s Russian oil imports, effective from August 27.
India’s Defiant Response
New Delhi has not taken Trump’s accusations lying down. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a sharp rebuttal, defending India’s purchase of Russian oil as a strategic move driven by global market dynamics. “Our procurement has helped stabilise international oil prices,” the ministry stated, pointing out that the USA and European nations had previously endorsed India’s actions. “We will continue to prioritise our energy security,” it added, underscoring India’s resolve to maintain its independent foreign policy.
The tariff dispute has deepened the rift between Washington and New Delhi, with economic analysts warning of potential losses of $55-60 billion for Indian exporters. Yet, India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal has vowed resilience, declaring, “India will neither bow down nor appear weak.” Legal challenges to Trump’s tariff policies are pending in US courts, but the levies remain in effect, casting a shadow over bilateral ties.
A Strategic Alignment in Tianjin?
Trump’s outburst coincides with a striking display of diplomacy in Tianjin, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the SCO Summit’s sidelines. The image of Modi and Putin sharing a ride in Putin’s bulletproof Aurus car went viral, symbolising a deepening India-Russia bond. Was this display of unity a subtle message to Washington? Observers speculate that Trump’s unease may stem from the strengthening ties among India, Russia, and China within forums like SCO and BRICS, which challenge US influence in Asia.
The Tianjin meetings highlighted India’s strategic autonomy, as Modi and Putin discussed global peace and cooperation while reaffirming their commitment to bilateral ties. With India standing firm on its Russian oil purchases and engaging robustly with BRICS nations, is Trump rattled by a shifting geopolitical landscape?
A Test Of Resilience
As the US-India trade spat escalates, India’s economy faces a critical test. Yet, its defiant stance and growing global alliances suggest a nation unwilling to bend. Trump’s tariffs may sting, but New Delhi’s focus on strategic independence and economic stability signals a broader ambition: to chart its own course in a turbulent world.