Trump justified his tough stance, stating that the U.S. has done "very little business with India" due to what he called "some of the highest tariffs in the world" and "obnoxious" trade barriers. He also claimed that the U.S. has a "massive" trade deficit with India
US President Donald Trump. File Pic
A day after announcing a 25 per cent tariff on imports from India, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a fresh tirade, criticising India's close ties with Russia and dismissing both nations’ economies as "dead." In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care."
Trump justified his tough stance, stating that the U.S. has done "very little business with India" due to what he called "some of the highest tariffs in the world" and "obnoxious" trade barriers. He also claimed that the U.S. has a "massive" trade deficit with India.
The former president expressed disapproval of India’s long-standing defence relationship with Moscow, highlighting that India has “always bought a vast majority of its military equipment from Russia” and is “one of Russia's biggest energy buyers, along with China”; a move he criticised amid calls to isolate Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
Trump also took aim at former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who had warned that Washington’s ultimatum-style diplomacy could lead to war. “Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory,” Trump wrote.
India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry responded to the tariff announcement by stating it has "taken note" of the move and is "studying its implications." The government emphasised that India and the U.S. have been working toward a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade agreement in recent months.
In defending India’s continued import of Russian oil, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has maintained that India’s actions are based on national interest and getting the best deal for its citizens. He has also pointed out the West’s double standards, stating, “Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.”
The government has assured that it will take all necessary steps to protect the interests of Indian farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs, reaffirming its commitment to securing national interests in all trade negotiations.
India's import of crude oil from Russia has risen from 0.2 per cent of total purchases before the Russia-Ukraine war to 35-40 per cent. New Delhi is the largest buyer of Russian oil after China.
Trump said though India is America's friend, "we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their (India) tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the world, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country".
He said India has always purchased a significant amount of military equipment and energy products from Russia at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the "killing" in Ukraine.
(With PTI inputs)
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