In a major political statement, former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has strongly criticized former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India, saying they have produced the “worst outcome” for the United States. According to Bolton, the policy has pushed India further away from Washington and closer to Russia and China — a shift that could damage decades of American diplomatic efforts.
Why Bolton Thinks This Was a Strategic Mistake
Bolton explained that Trump’s decision to impose over 50% tariffs on Indian imports — including a 25% secondary tariff for buying Russian oil — has hurt US-India relations without achieving the intended results.
- Tariffs targeted the wrong country: Instead of isolating China, the policy hit India harder.
- No change in India’s oil purchases: New Delhi continues to buy Russian oil, calling the US measures “unfair and unreasonable.”
- Risk of stronger Russia-China-India cooperation: Bolton warned that these economic penalties could encourage India to work more closely with America’s main global rivals.
China Treated More Softly Than India
In Bolton’s view, Trump’s approach was uneven. While Trump briefly engaged in a trade dispute with China in April, he avoided further escalation to keep the possibility of a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping open. Meanwhile, India faced severe economic penalties.
- Bolton called this “an enormous mistake”, saying that decades of work to reduce India’s dependence on Russia and China could be undone.
- In his opinion piece for The Hill, Bolton accused Trump of favouring China over India in his “zeal for a deal” with Beijing.
Impact on US Strategic Goals
Bolton emphasized that the tariffs may have long-term geopolitical consequences:
- They could make India less likely to cooperate with the US on global security issues.
- Moscow has already defended India and accused Washington of using illegal trade pressure.
- The timing is critical — Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, giving Putin a chance to use the India issue to his advantage.
India’s Response
India has not backed down. Officials in New Delhi maintain that purchasing Russian oil is in the country’s national interest, especially for keeping energy prices stable. They argue that the US tariffs are both unjustified and harmful to bilateral trade.
What to Watch Next
This situation is drawing global attention because it affects international trade, global diplomacy, and energy security. Key developments to follow include:
- Whether Trump adjusts his policy toward India.
- How the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting addresses this issue.
- Possible negotiations between India, Russia, and China that could counter US influence.
Bolton’s warning serves as a reminder that economic policies can have far-reaching effects, not just on trade, but on strategic alliances and global power balances. This is one of the most important Daily news highlights for anyone tracking US foreign policy, India’s diplomatic moves, and the evolving dynamics of global trade.
