After Modi’s Xi-Putin meetings, Trump brands US-India trade a ‘one-sided disaster’

“The reason is that India has charged us, until now, such high tariffs, the most of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India. It has been a totally one-sided disaster! Also, India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia, very little from the US. They have now offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago,” he said.

Democrats attack Trump over tariffs on India

Trump’s comments come after criticism from various quarters for hurting ties with India, long seen by the US as a ‘strategic partner’ and an ally to contain the influence of China in the region. Last month, Democrats on the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee hit out at Trump for “singling out India with tariffs, hurting Americans and sabotaging the US-India relationship in the process”.

They also flagged how China, one of the largest importers of Russian oil, faces no similar penalty, adding that “it’s not about Ukraine”. In a statement on X, the committee’s Democrats said, “Instead of imposing sanctions on China or others purchasing larger amounts of Russian oil, Trump is singling out India with tariffs, hurting Americans and sabotaging the US-India relationship in the process.”

Civil society against trade deal with US

The Forum for Trade Justice, a network of organisations working in the area of global trade — including farmers’ associations, trade unions, traders’ groups, health associations, environment groups, and activists in various areas — has said that any proposed India-US bilateral deal is less about ‘fair trade’ and more about reshaping India’s foreign and domestic policies to suit Washington and its economic and geopolitical interests.

“In the current negotiations, India’s interests will not be safeguarded by being subservient. Instead, they will be served by being resolute and firm and keeping our long-term economic prospects, developmental goals, and ecological security in mind. Our negotiators must adequately brief Prime Minister Modi on the key issues. This can ensure that President Trump does not further skew the deal that may be finalised at the official and ministerial level against India’s interest,” the Forum for Trade Justice said.

As the nation is outraged at this hypocrisy and new coercion, it is the right occasion for the people and government to stand together in affirmation of India’s sovereignty, and not give any undue concessions to the US, the forum said. It added that China imports more Russian oil than India does, but has not been hit by any such penalty. “Therein itself might be a lesson in how India should react,” the forum said.