Day by Day Trump's Tariff Goes Controversial

The ongoing tariff war initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump continues to stir global tensions, with new waves of criticism emerging from international leaders. The latest to speak out is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently cautioned the United States against using economic pressure tactics on two of Asia's biggest powers—India and China.

Putin tells US to stop pressuring India and China with tariffs

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and a military parade in Beijing, Putin met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Following these meetings, Putin publicly denounced the Trump-era tariff policies, asserting, "You cannot talk to India or China in that way. The colonial era is now over. They have to realise they can’t use these terms when speaking with partners.

India and China Too Big to Bully, Warns Putin

Putin further elaborated that the U.S. strategy of imposing sanctions and tariffs is an attempt to undermine the leadership of nations with significant global influence. Referring to his discussions with Modi during a one-hour car drive after the Alaska summit, Putin emphasized that India and China—with a combined population of nearly 3 billion people and vast economic power—should not be strong-armed through unilateral economic measures.

He remarked, "When somebody tells you they are going to punish you, you have to think—how can the leadership of those big countries react?" Adding a historical dimension, he stated, "If one of them shows weakness, his political career will be over. So that influences his behaviour."

India-U.S. Trade Relations: A Snapshot

While political statements grab headlines, the underlying data tells a deeper story about the importance of U.S.-India trade. In 2024, the two nations recorded approximately $212.3 billion in bilateral trade, including $128.9 billion in goods and $83.4 billion in services.

U.S. Goods Exports to India: $41.5 billion
U.S. Goods Imports from India: $87.3 billion
U.S. Goods Trade Deficit: $45.8 billion

Key Indian exports to the U.S. include gems, jewelry, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. These figures demonstrate a complex but thriving economic relationship that could be significantly disrupted by escalating tariffs.

Economic Repercussions: U.S. at Risk?

Trump's tariff rhetoric and America-first policy continue to have ripple effects across global trade. While these measures are framed as protective, they often end up creating uncertainty and unpredictability in international markets. Businesses dependent on stable U.S.-India or U.S.-China trade flows may find themselves navigating new barriers, delays, and increased costs.

If such aggressive tariff strategies continue unchecked, the consequences for the U.S. economy could be profound. With many international leaders speaking against these moves, including Putin, there is growing sentiment that America is isolating itself. Reduced trade with India and China—two of the world's fastest-growing economies—could slow down GDP growth, hinder innovation, and disrupt supply chains across sectors like technology, healthcare, and manufacturing.

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