Trump’s Tariff Politics Strain India-US Ties and Undermine Strategic Trust

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 19)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed tariffs—primarily targeting China—as part of his commitment to the “Make America Great Again” agenda. These measures are meant to display strength and deliver on campaign promises, even as the administration negotiates trade deals with allies like India.

Analysis of the news

India’s Diplomatic Dilemma

• India finds itself in a delicate position. While the US is a strategic partner, the imposition of tariffs on India has introduced transactional elements into the relationship.

• Despite India’s proactive diplomatic efforts, including early negotiations and high-level engagements, the country remains impacted by broader US economic policies.

China: The Central Adversary

• Trump views China as America’s primary geopolitical and economic threat. Unlike his first term, where advisors moderated his stance, Trump 2.0 is bolder and largely unchecked.

• His administration is now pressuring global businesses to move away from China, intensifying the rivalry beyond tariffs into global supply chain dynamics.

Collateral Damage: Allies Also Suffer

• To prevent China from circumventing tariffs through third countries, the US has extended punitive measures to many nations, including India.

• While India’s relatively lower tariffs provide a slight edge, the broader indiscriminate approach has strained relationships with allies and created a climate of uncertainty.

Fraying Goodwill and Strategic Trust

• Decades of effort to build India-US trust through diplomatic, civil society, and business engagement are being eroded.

• Trump’s aggressive actions, including deportations of Indians, have weakened the perception of the US as a reliable partner, empowering skeptics who favor deeper ties with Russia and China.

US Campuses Losing Their Shine

• Trump’s harsh immigration stance and punitive measures against foreign students, including Indians, have tarnished the US’s image as an academic haven.

• The restrictive environment undermines American soft power, as suspicion once reserved for Chinese nationals now affects students from across the globe, including India.

Call for Strategic Clarity

• India is urging the US to differentiate between allies and adversaries. Rather than imposing blanket punitive policies, New Delhi advocates for a cooperative, focused strategy that strengthens alliances like the Quad and preserves long-term goodwill.

• A broad-brush punitive approach, it warns, could backfire.

Practice Question: President Trump’s tariff-centric approach to foreign policy has introduced unpredictability in global trade and strained ties with strategic partners like India.” Critically examine the impact of the Trump administration’s trade and immigration policies on India-US relations. (250 Words /15 marks)