Trump’s Tariffs Can Push India Closer to Russia & China: Ex-US NSA
The ongoing trade tensions between the United States and India have taken a dramatic turn with the Trump administration imposing 50% tariffs on India’s aluminum and steel exports. The move has been widely criticized, and one of the most vocal critics is none other than former US National Security Advisor John Bolton. In a recent interview, Bolton warned that the heavy-handed tariffs on India could jeopardize decades of American efforts to bring India away from Russia and China.
The tariffs, which were imposed on June 18, are a response to India’s decision to withdraw its special trade privileges to the US under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). India’s move was seen as a retaliatory measure against the US’s decision to withdraw its GSP benefits in June 2019. The US has accused India of unfairly restricting market access for American products, including agricultural goods and automobiles.
However, Bolton, who served as US National Security Adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, believes that the tariffs will have far-reaching consequences that could weaken the US-India relationship. In an interview with News18, Bolton said, “Trump’s heavy-handed tariffs on India jeopardise decades of American efforts to bring India away from Russia and China. It’s a huge mistake.”
Bolton’s comments are significant because they highlight the risk of the tariffs pushing India closer to Russia and China, two countries with which India has been strengthening its ties in recent years. India has been seeking to diversify its foreign policy and reduce its dependence on the US, and the tariffs could accelerate this process.
The US-India relationship has been a key aspect of American foreign policy in the region, and the two countries have cooperated on a range of issues, including counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, and trade. However, the tariffs have created tensions between the two nations, and Bolton’s comments suggest that the US may be losing its leverage in the region.
India has been seeking to balance its relationships with the US, Russia, and China, and the tariffs could tip the scales in favor of the latter two countries. Russia and China have been strengthening their ties with India, and the two countries have been working together on a range of projects, including energy and defense.
In recent years, India has been seeking to reduce its dependence on the US for defense equipment and has been exploring alternative sources, including Russia. In 2019, India signed a $5.5 billion deal with Russia to purchase S-400 air defense systems, which is seen as a major blow to the US’s efforts to sell its own defense equipment to India.
China has also been increasing its investments in India, and the two countries have been cooperating on a range of projects, including infrastructure development and renewable energy. In 2019, China became India’s largest trade partner, and the two countries have been working together to promote trade and investment.
The tariffs could also have far-reaching consequences for the US-India trade relationship. India has been one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, and the US has been seeking to increase its trade with the country. However, the tariffs could create new barriers to trade and make it more difficult for American companies to do business in India.
In conclusion, the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on India could have significant consequences for the US-India relationship. The move could push India closer to Russia and China, two countries with which India has been strengthening its ties. The tariffs could also create new barriers to trade and make it more difficult for American companies to do business in India.
As Bolton noted, the tariffs are a “huge mistake” that could jeopardize decades of American efforts to bring India away from Russia and China. The US must rethink its strategy and find a more effective way to promote its interests in the region.
