India stands tall as US tariff storm rages; Trump targets Delhi, Democrats say ‘Punish Putin instead’

A major diplomatic storm has erupted after US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. While the White House hailed the measure as a “big blow” to Moscow, India denounced the move as “unfair and unjustified” and vowed to protect its national interests.

The decision has not only sparked outrage in New Delhi but also triggered sharp divisions in Washington — with Democrats and leading economists openly questioning Trump’s strategy.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Democrats, slammed the tariff decision, calling it a political stunt that will not deter Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Tariffing India won’t stop Putin. If Trump truly wanted to counter Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukraine, he should sanction Putin directly and provide Ukraine the military support it needs. Everything else is smoke and mirrors.”

Their criticism followed comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who defended the escalation as necessary to maintain “maximum leverage” over Moscow. He also hinted at further “secondary tariffs” on New Delhi depending on the outcome of Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin, while warning about China’s role as Russia’s largest oil buyer, according to news reports.

Adding to the pressure, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned India could face tariffs as high as 500 per cent if it continues Russian oil purchases.

After Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra met Graham to explain India’s energy security concerns, the senator urged India to use its “influence” to help Trump end the Ukraine war.

“One of the most consequential things India could do to improve relations with Washington is to help President Trump end this bloodbath in Ukraine,” Graham said.

The backlash against Trump is not limited to politicians. Renowned US economist Jeffrey Sachs described the tariffs as “unconstitutional”, warning India not to expect long-term benefits from aligning too closely with Washington.

“US politicians don’t care at all about India. Please understand this. India is a great power with an independent standing in the world. Everything Trump is doing on tariffs is unconstitutional,” Sachs told Hindustan Times.

He urged India to moderate expectations of a trade partnership with the US and instead consider improving relations with China for the sake of a multipolar world less vulnerable to America’s “moods.”

Sachs also ridiculed Trump’s economic logic, comparing his view of trade deficits to blaming shopkeepers for credit card debt.
“That is the extent of the comprehension of the President of the United States,” Sachs said, calling the tariffs “delusional and baseless.”

Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks cautioned that Trump’s “tariff tantrum” risked erasing years of progress in US-India ties.

With the second round of trade talks set for August 25 in New Delhi now hanging in the balance, analysts warn the dispute could ripple through global supply chains and commodity markets.

For India, however, the message remains clear: self-reliance and sovereignty will not be compromised.

At a White House press conference, Trump doubled down, claiming India’s role as Russia’s “largest or second-largest oil buyer” made the penalties especially painful for Moscow. “Russia’s economy is not doing well. When the President of the United States tells their biggest oil buyer, ‘We’re putting a 50% tariff on you,’ that’s a big blow,” Trump said.

He insisted that sanctions and tariffs were “seriously weakening Russia’s economic capacity” to continue its war in Ukraine. On social media, Trump went further, lashing out at India’s partnership with Moscow: “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”

New Delhi swiftly rejected the order, which effectively doubled the existing 25% tariffs on Indian goods and threatens industries from textiles to seafood exports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a defiant response: “The farmer’s interest is our first priority. India will never compromise on the livelihoods of its farmers, fishermen, and livestock keepers. I am prepared to pay the price for standing firm, but India will not bend.”

The Ministry of External Affairs echoed the stance, stressing that India was unfairly singled out when many other nations continue to buy Russian oil.

“It is highly unfortunate that the US has targeted India. We will take all necessary steps to safeguard our national interest,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

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