Trump’s India Tariffs Draw Fire from John Bolton
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has warned that President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on Indian exports could backfire, pushing New Delhi closer to Moscow and Beijing at the expense of long-term US strategic interests. Speaking to CNN and writing in The Hill, Bolton described Trump’s approach as “an enormous mistake” that risks undoing decades of diplomatic work aimed at aligning India more closely with Washington.
Bolton argued that the new tariff regime—imposing rates as high as 50% on Indian goods—was intended to punish New Delhi for its continued purchase of Russian oil and military hardware. However, he cautioned that such heavy-handed measures might only deepen India’s partnership with Russia and China, two nations the US has long sought to counterbalance in Asia.
Tariffs Intended to Hurt Russia May Aid Its Allies
Trump’s policy, Bolton said, is ostensibly aimed at reducing Russia’s oil revenues and curbing its influence. India has been a major buyer of Russian crude since the start of the Ukraine conflict, often at discounted prices, and has resisted calls from Washington to scale back. By targeting India with punitive tariffs, Bolton warned, the US could be driving it into the very alliances it seeks to weaken.
“The tariffs against India are intended to hurt Russia, but they could push India closer to Russia and China to oppose these measures,” Bolton said. He added that such an outcome would be “entirely counterproductive” for America’s broader geopolitical goals.
Favoring China Over India on Trade
In his op-ed, Bolton claimed the White House appears to be extending more favorable tariff treatment to China than to India—despite China’s larger trade surplus with the US and its record of trade abuses, including intellectual property theft and market restrictions. He warned that resentment in New Delhi could grow if Beijing secures a better deal.
“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,” Bolton wrote. He noted that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has signaled possible flexibility toward Beijing, such as extending its August 12 negotiation deadline if talks look promising.
Tariff Hike Details and Diplomatic Fallout
Trump announced on July 30 that India’s tariff rate would be set at 26%—slightly lower than the originally proposed 27% in April—but still a sharp jump from the previous average of 2.4%. Days later, he imposed a blanket 50% tariff on Indian exports, placing India alongside Brazil at the top of the US tariff list.
The move coincides with ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries, which were expected to conclude soon. Trump’s public remarks calling India’s economy “dead” and its tariff barriers “obnoxious” have further strained the atmosphere.
India’s external affairs ministry responded by calling the tariffs “extremely unfortunate,” pointing out that other nations also continue trading with Russia. New Delhi has emphasized that its purchases of Russian oil are guided by energy security considerations and competitive pricing.
Risks to US-India Relations
Bolton warned that the US risks losing hard-earned trust in India, a nation viewed as a critical partner in countering China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific region. “By levying tariffs on friend and foe alike, the US has likely suffered a considerable loss of trust and confidence, built up over decades, in exchange for minimal economic gains—if any,” he wrote.
Analysts have noted that India’s inclusion in the BRICS bloc, along with Russia and China, could give it more leverage in resisting Washington’s pressure. Trump has also singled out all BRICS nations for a separate 10% tariff, potentially reinforcing their shared economic and diplomatic ties.
With US-China tensions still simmering, and Beijing’s trade practices drawing bipartisan criticism in Washington, Bolton’s warning underscores the delicate balancing act in American foreign policy. Critics argue that alienating India at this juncture could undermine US efforts to build a united front against both Russian aggression and Chinese expansionism.
