Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has warned that President Donald Trump's tariffs on India, imposed over its purchase of Russian oil, could
backfire badly, undoing decades of US efforts to draw New Delhi away from Moscow and Beijing. In a recent interview with CNN, Bolton said Trump's approach risks deepening India's ties with Russia and China instead, calling it an "enormous mistake" and accusing the president of showing bias toward Beijing over New Delhi. "Trump's tariffs against India are intended to hurt Russia but they could push India closer to Russia and to China to oppose these tariffs," John Bolton told CNN in an interview. The former NSA further cautioned, "Trump's leniency on the Chinese, and heavy-handed tariffs on India, jeopardise decades of American efforts to bring India away from Russia and China." Also Read: PM Modi Dials Putin Amid US Tariff Row; Discusses Bilateral Ties, Invites Him To India
'Counterproductive for America': Bolton
Bolton had earlier opined that Trump's approach of favouring China over India on trade is "an enormous mistake and entirely counterproductive for America". In an opinion piece for The Hill, he argued that the tariffs do not align with America's long-term geopolitical goals, as the US is "levying tariffs on friend and foe alike".
"Unfortunately, based on international reactions so far, the US by levying tariffs on friend and foe alike has likely suffered a considerable loss of trust and confidence, built up over decades of effort, in exchange for minimal economic gains — if any — and the risk of formidable losses," he wrote.
White House "seems headed toward more-lenient treatment for Beijing on tariff rates and other metrics than it imposed on New Delhi," Bolton remarked, warning that "if so, it will be a potentially enormous mistake."
On July 30, Trump announced a 25% tariff on India, plus a "penalty" for importing oil from Russia. On Wednesday, Trump again announced an additional tariff of 25% on Indian goods, taking the total to 50% duty, one of the highest among America's trading partners.
