Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton, who is a member of Donald Trump's Republican Party, has flagged concerns about US tariffs pushing India closer to Russia and China, saying it has resulted in the "worst outcome" for Washington.
Bolton questioned Trump's actions in hurting India ties while sparing China, calling it an "enormous mistake". Though Trump pulled China into a trade war in April, he later backed out as a deal is being worked out. “Trump’s leniency on the Chinese and heavy-handed tariffs on India jeopardize decades of American efforts to bring India away from Russia and China,” he said.
His remarks come as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to China for the upcoming SCO summit by end of this month while Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to come to India by the end of 2025.
Another Republican, Mike Pence, who was the US vice president during Trump's first term, said the tariffs have put the burden on US companies and consumers, calling for "Free Trade with Free Nations."
India has so far avoided giving in to Trump's demands on stopping purchase of discounted Russian oil, calling the US tariffs "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".
Indian American and Republican Nikki Haley was among the first US leaders to warn Trump against "burning" ties with a strong ally like India while giving a pass to China. "China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause. Don’t give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India," she posted on X on August 5.
Democrats too come in support of India
Republicans were joined by Democrats in calling out Trump's tariff blunder. Former US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, a Democrat, urged PM Modi that he should "not bend the knee to President Trump."
Campbell said India is America's most important relationship in the century and now Trump has risked it. "The way President Trump has spoken about India and PM Modi has spoken about India and PM Modi has put the Indian govt in a difficult position," he added.
Democrat Ray Vickery, who was former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Development, earlier called the US tariffs on India "a typical Trump move" aimed at exerting pressure and later claiming victory. He urged both countries to act with sanity while warning India to reassess its interests in Russia. Vickery said this is India's chance to rise as a global democratic leader and stand against Trump's transactional foreign policy.
