Former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has launched a sharp attack on President Donald Trump's trade policy towards India, warning that sweeping tariffs are damaging America's global standing and pushing New Delhi closer to Beijing.
"The American brand globally is in the toilet. Look at India. Trump has executed a massive trade offensive against them. Now, India is thinking, shit, we have to go sit down with China to hedge against America," Sullivan said on The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller.
The former White House official said that many US allies and partners now view Washington as "a big disruptor" rather than a reliable partner, while China is steadily gaining ground in global popularity. India, he said, is a prime example of this shift.
For years, Washington had worked to strengthen ties with New Delhi on a bipartisan basis, particularly in the context of countering China. But Sullivan said Trump’s tariffs have strained the relationship, forcing India to "sit with China".
Furthermore, Sullivan warned that the fallout could damage US interests for years. "Here's a country we were trying to build a deeper and more sustainable relationship with. Instead, because of these tariffs, India now feels compelled to explore closer engagement with China," he added.
The remarks came just days after the United States imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports, effective August 27 -- the highest such duty imposed on any country. The move is expected to hit sectors like textiles, jewellery, and mechanical appliances, raising concerns about growth and jobs in India.
Trump has defended the additional 25 per cent hike as retaliation for India's continued purchase of Russian oil amid the Ukraine conflict.
However, a recent report by investment banking firm Jefferies suggested the escalation was also linked to Trump's frustration at being denied a role in mediating the India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year. Agriculture disputes are also said to be a sticking point between the two nations.
Source: India Today
