US President Donald Trump recently announced that impose a 50 percent tariff on India. His decision has not only jolted the bilateral relations of the two countries, but has also sparked a big debate within the politics and media of America. 50% Telephone India US President Donald Trump recently announced that impose a 50% tariff on India. His decision has not only jolted the relations between the two countries, but has also sparked a big debate within the politics and media of America. On Saturday, India’s Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that China is the biggest buyer of Russian oil, but no high tariff has been imposed on it. Europe buys the most from Russia, but it is not right to consider them different. If the argument is about energy and who buys more from Russia, then India is behind in both these matters.
Jaishankar noted that no other American President has managed his foreign relations so overtly as Trump, and his policies are under scrutiny both in India and in America. Nikki Haley, a member of the opposing party, has voiced her worries about the state of affairs. On August 20, she published a piece in the American outlet Newsweek. This month’s Haley writes about trade disputes and oil imports from Russia. Tough talks are necessary on issues like these, but we should not reveal the real motive. Our common goal is that America needs a friend like India to face China. Both Haley and Donald Trump are from the Republican Party, but Nikki Haley has openly opposed Trump on many occasions. In a similar vein, the former Secretary of State of the United States, John Kerry, has stated that Trump’s policies are alienating his allies. Kerry, a Democrat, served as the US Secretary of State under President Obama from 2013 to 2017.
Kerry said at the 8 World Leaders Forum held in New Delhi that we are concerned. The tension between President Trump and PM Modi is unfortunate. I think it is not necessary for a great country to always threaten people to show its greatness. The Trump administration has adopted the method of giving orders and putting pressure instead of finding solutions through diplomacy. Former US National Security Advisor John Walton also strongly opposed Trump’s praise of India. In an interview with Pete Walton, Trump directly imposed sanctions on India for buying oil from Russia but not on China, although it also buys oil from Russia. This will create problems for India, China, and it is the Trump administration’s blindness that can push India closer to Russia. This is a mistake of its own making. He referred to Putin’s plan to visit India and PM Modi’s visit to China for the first time since 2018 and said that this could have a negative impact. This was not fully thought through. Balchand was the US National Security Advisor during Trump’s first term but was removed by Trump in 2019. Since then, he has become a staunch opponent of Trump. By the way, questions are being raised in the American media about Trump’s approach to India. Fox News has written that Trump’s tariff is taking India closer to America’s strategic rivals, China and Russia. Fox News wrote that after the imposition of the tariff, New Delhi’s stance seems to be leaning towards the East. In the last few weeks, India’s National Security Advisor went to Moscow. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited Delhi. Prime Minister Modi is going on a visit to China for the first time in 7 years. Questions are also being raised about whether the Quad will be on time. Yoga Pension wrote that Trump is pushing India towards China. According to an article published in the Youth Times, Prime Minister Modi has not yet tried to push India closer to America. We were moving towards uniting the US and keeping China away, but now there is an attempt to rebuild relations between the Asian giants. Senior CNN journalist Fareed Sarkar criticized Trump’s policies in his program and said that the progress made in the relations between the two countries in the last decades is going backwards. Fareed Sarkar said that if Trump changes his policy again, then whatever damage was to happen has already happened. A perception has been created in India that America is no longer trustworthy.
Can China replace America for India?
On one hand, instability is being seen in India’s trade relations with America; on the other hand, there is a softening in the relations between India and China. India and China are gradually working towards normalizing relations. In such a situation, the question is whether China can replace America for India?
A few days ago, China’s ambassador to India, Sufian, spoke out against the 50% tax that was going to be imposed on India. The silence and compromise on the importance stands with India was called this. This comment about any third country is not a normal thing. Although America has not given any official reaction to the statement of the Chinese ambassador, in such a situation, the question has started arising whether China can replace America for India. After a few days, the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is going to be held in China. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also participate in this meeting. On the one hand, instability is being seen in India’s trade relations with America; on the other hand, a softening is being felt in the relations between India and China. After the clash in the Galvan Valley of Ladakh in the year 2020, there was a decline in the relations between India and China. Since then, China and India have gradually normalized their relations. Professor Alka Acharya is the director of the Institute of Chinese Studies in Delhi. She says that at the level of public sentiments against both China and America, it has to be seen who the people are more against. There has been a border dispute with China for a long time, but despite the friendship between Trump and Modi, it is a shock to many people in India. Trump did not impose as many tariffs on India’s neighboring countries as he imposed 50% on India, so the anti-US sentiment here is less than that of China. Professor Chintamani Mahapatra, founder of Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies, believes that America is not the only factor behind the reduction in distance between India and China. He says that for the past few months, there have been continuous talks between India and China. China is economically prosperous and is India’s trading partner. This is a normal process to remove the gap in relations after Galwan. Recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wangi Yi came on a two-day visit to India. During this, he said that India and China should see each other as partners rather than rivals or threats. India has been trying to maintain separate strategic autonomy till now. On one hand, India is involved in organizations like Quad with America and Western countries, while on the other hand, it is cooperating with China and Russia in BRICS and SOCO. This gives more importance to an autonomous India on the global platform. It becomes influential because India is neither completely with the West nor with China. Now, what will be the effect of the growing proximity with China on India’s position in the Global South? Professor Alka Acharya says that India will now move cautiously. The consequences for China are huge because it has become an economic superpower. But the path of China to lead the Global South is not easy because all the countries of the Global South do not have the same opinion about China. The question is whether China can be an alternative to America for India. Professor Chintamani Mahapatra says that this will never happen. He explains the reason for this is that there will be no rift in the friendship between China and Pakistan, so China cannot replace America either. Under the Multi-Alignment Policy that India has, it is trying to correct its relations with China. Continuous talks are going on between India and China, but questions remain on many issues. Both countries share a border of more than 3000 kilometers, which is not clear yet. The friendship of India-Pakistan and China is also an issue. Apart from this, China’s Belt and Road Initiative is also an issue for India. It is a matter of discussion. In such a situation, now everyone’s eyes are on whether the relations between the two countries will take a new direction after PM Modi’s visit to China.
India’s exports to China broke records! The 18% jump has troubled America
America thought that India-China closeness was just a pretense. But the truth is that India’s exports to China have increased by breaking records. PM Modi’s China visit, 18% growth, and a new surge in the coming months have surprised America. When the enemy’s move is to stop you, then turn this move into your weapon. India has shown the same today. America, which dropped the bomb of tariffs on India, has now backfired, and instead of bearing the blow, India made such a blast in the Chinese market that America was stunned. India’s exports to China have broken records, and America has lost its sleep. Actually, America’s biggest misunderstanding was that India and China can never come together. America had started to feel that the closeness between India and China was just a show to tease America. In fact, India and China are natural enemies, so Washington did not pay attention to it. But now the situation has changed. The news of PM Modi’s China visit has increased America’s restlessness even more. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s closest advisor and the real brain behind his policies, Peter Never, openly attacked India for the first time. He said in front of the media that India is growing a genius with China and is actually annoying it. The reason for this was not just that the representatives of India and China were meeting together, the real reason has now come to the fore, India’s exports to China have increased rapidly, according to government data, in the first quarter of 2025, April-June, India’s exports to China have grown by a tremendous 18 percent and the special thing is that this growth happened mostly in June when the tension between India and America was at its peak, Trump imposed tariff on India and India immediately opened a back channel and made a deal with China, now China has officially announced that we will welcome Indian products with open heart, that is, this 18% is just a glimpse, the real picture is yet to come, the quarter of July-September will bring record breaking export growth, today it is clear that India has laddus in both hands, if America increases the tariff, then India will compensate for it in the Chinese market, if America bows down, the tariff is removed and then India will get ice in the American market, that is, India is benefiting in every situation and this is the thing that is bothering America the most, Peter Never’s irritation and the tram administration There is a grumbling because they have understood that India is slipping out of their hands.
India’s Exports to China – Record High
| Category | Previous Year (Value in $Bn) | Current Year (Value in $Bn) | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Exports to China | 17.8 | 21.0 | 18% |
| Agricultural Products | 2.3 | 2.8 | 22% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 1.1 | 1.4 | 27% |
| Iron Ore & Minerals | 4.5 | 5.2 | 15% |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | 3.2 | 3.7 | 16% |
| Electronics & Machinery | 2.1 | 2.5 | 19% |
India is very important in America’s long-term strategic interests. If India gets closer to China and Russia, then it will be considered the biggest historical mistake of the Trump government, a blunder. Therefore, now American leaders have resorted to flattery. Sometimes they say that India is good, sometimes they praise PM Modi. All this is an attempt to save face, but India is not the old India. This is the same India that looked America in the eye and said that if you remove the tariff, it is good, otherwise we will become more aggressive and capture the market of China and other countries. India is no longer among those who get scared; it is not among those who bow down; rather, it has become a country that forces America to bow down. Trump thought that by imposing tariffs on India, he would suppress India, but it has backfired. India started moving towards China. China opened its doors for Indian products, and India’s exports increased rapidly. Now, Param has understood that if he does not take action soon, then the India-China rapprochement will deepen, as Peter Never is saying, and Only America will have to bear the brunt of this loss. The truth is that India’s exports to China broke records. America is left in a state of panic, and the world is seeing that India is now becoming a global power on its own. It is said that if anyone you want to stop starts running faster, then understand that he is the winner. America wanted to stop India, but India ran in the Chinese market in such a way that America was left stunned. America’s worry is justified because India’s victory is now just the beginning.
Trump’s tariff will harm India, but these countries can benefit
The direct impact of the 50 percent tariff imposed by America on India is now visible. This decision of America will affect India’s exports worth about Rs 4 lakh crore. Many factories in the country are on the verge of closure, and a large number of people are facing the crisis of employment. According to CTI, which monitors trade and export, the American tariff will directly affect India’s exports worth Rs 4 lakh crore. Only a 20% tariff has been imposed on Bangladesh and Vietnam. A 30% tariff has been imposed on China. So what will happen is that the companies there, the traders of America, Indian goods will become 35% expensive there. So the interest of the companies there will increase in other countries. Certainly, Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, and all the countries, because America has imposed the highest tariff of 50% on India, so the exports of 48 billion dollars here will be affected in India, and I think 10 lakh jobs are at risk of being lost. The biggest question is that after the imposition of American tariffs, the five biggest sectors of India that will be affected will be affected. Which countries will be affected by it? After the implementation of US tariffs, textiles and garments are among the most affected sectors, where the tariff on readymade garments has reached up to 64 percent. The textile sector is facing the highest tariffs, and exports of more than Rs 90 thousand crores of this sector will be affected. Countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Cambodia can benefit from this. Vietnam is already a big country exporting clothes to the US. The US has imposed a tariff of 20 percent on garment exports of Vietnam and Bangladesh, and 1920percent on Cambodia’s exports. India’s jewellery and gemstone industry can also take a big blow. It is estimated that India’s exports of about Rs 85000 crores will be affected in this sector. India is the world’s largest exporter of cut diamonds. Lakhs of people are associated with this industry in cities like Surat and Mumbai. This tariff can weaken India’s diamond industry in international competition. India, which has been a leader in diamond cutting and polishing for a long time, has to face a huge loss. Now, we are facing challenges from many countries. America imposes a 15% tariff on Italian jewellery exports, while it imposes a 20% tariff on Vietnam and a 19% tariff on Thailand. India exports auto components worth about 58000 crore rupees to America every year. Now, due to heavy duty on most of these, exports may fall. This situation may benefit those countries with whom America has trade agreements or whose tariffs are much lower than India’s. Mexico may benefit the most because it gets the benefit of zero duty under America’s MCA, i.e., Mexico Mexico-Canada Agreement. Mexico is already a major auto parts supplier to America, and it also benefits from its geographical proximity to America.
The American tariff is feared to significantly impact seafood exports, particularly shrimp. India is one of the world’s top shrimp exporters. Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia may benefit from India’s loss. India is one of the world’s largest shrimp exporters, which already supplies America on a large scale. Vietnam has strong processing technology and logistics and is a major supplier of marine products to the US. Indonesia is a leader in shrimp as well as ryad and has the capacity to meet the US demand. India has a major share in this sector through micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to about 40% of total exports. There is a possibility of a decline in the demand for products like pesticides, fungicides, organic fertilizers, and hypochlorite. Due to an increase in the prices of these products, American buyers may turn to alternative suppliers. Even though there are some tariffs on China, its factories are large and it can manufacture goods at cheaper prices, so it can also replace India.
Modi met Xi Jinping and Putin at the SCO Summit. Why is the US warning him?
India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has written in his book The India Way that China has won many wars without fighting any war, and America has been fighting many wars without winning any war. Jaishankar understands America and China very well, but in difficult times, even with understanding, you are unable to be decisive. After praising Trump, India is facing a similar situation. There is a lot of debate going on in America about the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In America, PM Modi’s visit is being seen as a mirror of the deteriorating relationship with President Donald Trump. Not only is it being seen, but the American media is also warning India. In such a situation, Modi’s visit becomes very important for China. Ajay Shah, founder of Mumbai-based research institute Ek Kadar Forum, has written in Project Syndicate that Trump’s tariffs may disrupt India’s economy, but the bigger danger is that India’s long-term strategic direction may be affected. Journey Chand, senior analyst for China and Northeast Asia at the Bloomberg think tank Eurasia Group, said that apart from border issues, China and India can deepen relations in many areas. Tensions between the two countries have increased somewhat. There will be mutual suspicion between the two countries.
The talks between Modi and Mr. Jinping are not going to end the strategic rivalry. Michael Google, an analyst who keeps a close eye on the politics of South Asia, believes that the relations between America and India will not be shattered by Modi’s visit. Google has written in one of its articles that Modi has gone to China after 7 years, and this will not ruin the relations between America and India. This is the result of last year’s effort to reduce tension with China. The motivation to improve relations with China is great due to the tension between America and India in the last few months. James Tributary is a columnist of the American magazine Foreign Policy. James wrote an article in Foreign Policy on August 27 titled Why India Should Not Fall Into the Trap of China and Russia. James has written in his article that bitterness comes in relations when one side refuses to pick up the phone. According to German media reports, the Prime Minister of India had done the same thing recently. Modi did not talk to Trump on the phone because America sees India as a partner against China. Trump imposed a 50% tariff on it. India is naturally upset by this sudden behavior of America. He got angry and started looking for options for a new foreign policy. To take advantage of the rift between Modi and Trump, Putin and Joe Biden will try to woo India, but India will be cautious in this matter. From India’s point of view, this is a wise and long-term approach. Even though relations with the US are tense, joining hands with China and Russia is like falling into a trap that can backfire soon. James believes that India should take some responsibility on its shoulders in this difficult time. The New York Times has also written that India was being seen as an alternative to China, which Trump has ended. The New York Times has written in its report that India has worked hard to present itself as an alternative to Chinese factories. Big businessmen were also looking at India as an alternative under the China Plus policy, but now things have changed. PM Modi himself lost the supply after 7 years. Due to Trump’s praise, the desire for change in China has started. India has now become less attractive for American importers. Companies may turn to countries with low tariffs, especially Vietnam or Mexico. The New York Times has written that India is the third-largest country in the world. India is trying to become a big economy. Currently, India is the fifth-largest economy and is moving towards leaving Japan behind. If America does not help, then India has no option other than getting closer to China. There is a lot of debate going on in America about the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In America, PM Modi’s visit is being seen in the light of the deteriorating relationship with President Donald Trump. Not only is it being seen, but the American media is also warning India.