The longstanding relations between India and the US have been strained over US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on India and his acerbic remarks about India’s economy. But, what baffled many was how Trump went lenient on arch-rival China, stating the countries were “getting very close to a deal”. The US President also stated he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping if the countries sign a trade pact.
His stance baffled many, including Republican Nikki Haley, who wondered how “an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause” but not ally India.
Though many express apprehension that the tariff threat over the purchase of Russian oil looms over China too, a Russian analyst has a theory about why Trump’s targeting of ‘China’s geopolitical rival’ India was not an accident.
According to Maxim Chirkov, associate professor at the State University of Management in Russia, Trump is trying all tricks. “The thing is that India is China’s geopolitical rival, and pressure on New Delhi is also in Beijing’s sphere of interests. Additionally, the US is limiting contacts with Taiwan and extending the effect of more restrained tariffs on imported Chinese products. These steps aim to achieve China’s relative benevolence," the economist explained.
He added that the statement by Trump is aimed at pursuing two goals: a peaceful settlement in the Ukrainian conflict and bringing closer a compromise with China.
The Trump administration’s plan to get close to Beijing was evident when it decided to stop the Taiwanese president’s US stopover. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on China, said it was both a sharp break from precedent and another example of the Trump administration caving to China in hopes of reaching a trade deal.” He said the policy decision 'sends a dangerous signal' that Taiwan’s democracy is negotiable.
The US is also concerned about Beijing’s strengthening alliance with Moscow, which resulted in China increasing its purchase of crude oil from Russia. The two countries have also increased financial and military cooperation. Experts believe this axis raises risks for Washington, and Trump wants to avert it.
CapitalMind CEO Deepak Shenoy too took to X to state why Trump’s tariff move wasn't about Russia, but about pressure. “Trump is poking to see what level of tariff will, if it ever will, make India respond. It's a game, but he's not the only one playing. China seems to have him cornered, so he's looking at everyone else now," Shenoy added.