John Bolton, President Trump aide and former National Security Advisor, criticized Trump's policies for betraying decades of American efforts to move India away from its Russian and Chinese alignments.
He specifically identified the sharp US tariffs imposed on India over its purchase of Russian oil as a major blunder. Bolton also called out what he sees as Trump's preferential treatment of China, saying that this policy has the potential to be an "enormous mistake."
Although Trump temporarily had a trade war with China in April, he didn't push further tensions pending talks. India, on the other hand, was slapped with more than 50% tariffs, including a 25% secondary tariff, citing its purchases of oil as indirectly funding Russia's war against Ukraine.
Bolton described how these tariffs have left the "worst outcome" for America, with India's reaction being "very negative." Some of the frustration is because the biggest trade partner, China, has not been similarly tariffed.
During an interview with CNN, Bolton explained the irony that the secondary tariff meant to punish Russia could in fact push India toward Russia and China—potentially to mobilize those countries against the US. He explained, "Trump's softness on the Chinese and harsh tariffs on India undermine decades of American work to turn India away from Russia and China."
US foreign policy commentator Christopher Padilla, a former trade official, has also warned that such tariffs could inflict permanent damage on India-US ties. He cautioned that they could instill skepticism about the US as a partner, with the effects of the tariffs remaining a part of India's memory.
Bolton previously outlined his concerns in an Op-Ed for The Hill, condemning Trump's softer approach to Beijing as a strategic concession in the "zeal for a deal" with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "The White House appears to be moving toward more favorable treatment of Beijing on tariff rates and other measures than it imposed on New Delhi. If so, it will be a potentially gigantic error," Bolton wrote.
In spite of the tariffs, India has thus far refused to suspend its Russian oil imports. Rather, India has come to the defense of its actions and labeled the US tariffs as "unfair and unreasonable." India has also been endorsed in its position by Russia, which has blamed the US for employing illegal trade pressure—just days before Trump's planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Bolton indicated that the Trump-Putin meeting would provide Putin with a strategic upper hand on a number of matters, such as the tariffs imposed on India. He posited that Putin could use the situation to advance Russia's agenda against both the US and India.
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