India,Aug.05,2025: In response, Mr. Tewari—known for advocating India’s global posture—posted a scathing historical reference on X
Trump tariff threat India response came under global scrutiny after Congress MP Manish Tewari publicly challenged President Trump’s threat to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian goods. The exchange marks a turning point in the diplomatic and trade dynamics between the two democracies.
What is the Trump tariff threat India response?
Earlier this week, Trump reaffirmed his plan to escalate tariffs beyond the existing 25% duty, blaming India for continuing to purchase and profit from Russian oil amid the Ukraine war.
In response, Mr. Tewari—known for advocating India’s global posture—posted a scathing historical reference on X, asserting India’s ability to resist coercive economic threats.
Manish Tewari’s Historical Rebuttal
Invoking 1971 Resilience
Tewari wrote:
“Your nation sent the Seventh Fleet into the Bay of Bengal in 1971 to deter us … We withstood that. We have enough resilience as a nation to withstand your tariff threat. Thank you very much for your attention, Sir.”
Earlier, he directly challenged the substantive impact of Trump’s tariffs:
“Would Trump’s tariff threat make any difference to the strategic autonomy we have built up? Not really … Trump has given the biggest tribute to Indian strategic exceptionalism.”
Tewari’s response positions India as resilient and sovereign rather than economically subservient.
Trump’s Allegations & Previous Tariff Moves
Trump’s Escalating Tariff Threat
Trump first announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports effective August 1, along with an unspecified “penalty,” targeting India’s continued trade with Russia in oil and defense supplies.
By August 4, he renewed threats of higher tariffs, accusing India of profiting from Russian oil while ignoring Ukrainian casualties.
U.S. administration officials signaled broader reciprocal tariffs under Trump’s “Liberation Day” trade policy, which has already raised average U.S. tariff rates to historically high levels.
Political Reactions Beyond Tewari
Congress Criticism of Modi Government
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram denounced Trump’s behavior as “impulsive” and called out India’s foreign policy for being overly image‑focused rather than interest‑driven.
Other Congress figures like Jairam Ramesh and Imran Masood warned that India cannot remain silent and should resist economic intimidation, stressing that a production‑based domestic economy is essential for future independence.
MEA and Government Position
The Ministry of External Affairs described Trump’s targeting of India as “unjustified and unreasonable.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s right to act on national interest, citing how Western nations—including the U.S. and EU—continue commerce with Russia despite criticizing India’s energy strategy.
Impact on Indo‑U.S. Relations & Trade
Strained Strategic Partnership
India and the U.S. once enjoyed a warm rapport, exemplified by high-level engagement including PM Modi’s February 2025 White House visit to push “Mission 500” — a plan to grow bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
But Trump’s tariff rhetoric now threatens to unravel trust. Discussions on trade, defense projects like the F‑35, immigration, and agriculture are now being viewed through the lens of uncertainty.
Trade Impact Assessment
While models forecast only modest GDP impacts (20 basis points), India stands to lose substantially—internal estimates show up to 87% of exports to the U.S. (≈ $66 billion) could be affected under reciprocal tariffs.
India’s energy purchases, especially from Russia—now about one‑third of the country’s imports—remain a contentious point, though New Delhi argues these are driven by affordability and market forces.
Analysis: Strategic Autonomy vs U.S. Pressure
India’s Assertion of Economic Sovereignty
Tewari’s rhetoric evokes India’s history of resisting external pressure—be it in the 1971 war or today’s geopolitical currents. India continues to frame its energy decisions as economic imperatives, not political alignments.
Western Double Standards & Diplomatic Hypocrisy
India and analysts accuse the U.S. and Europe of maintaining ties with Russia while targeting India. Critics suggest pressure is politically selective, and geography‑based alliances no longer dictate economic engagement.
Role of Domestic Politics
Domestically, the issue reignites debate on India’s diplomatic posture—non-alignment evolving into multi-alignment and strategic autonomy under PM Modi’s leadership. Opposition sees it as a wake-up call for more assertive international positioning.
What Lies Ahead?
Diplomatic Negotiations & Trade Talks
Both countries appear to leave space for negotiation—U.S. officials have not fully closed doors, and Indian ministers insist on reciprocal trade frameworks rather than coercion.
Potential Expansion of Tariff Measures
Trump signaled secondary tariffs could reach 100% for persistent oil buyers, compounded by escalating pressure on China, Turkey etc. India remains in Trump’s diplomatic crosshairs.
Political Resilience & Public Sentiment
Public figures like Manish Tewari emphasize national unity, resilience, and economic self-reliance. Observers note India’s large domestic market and strategic positioning make it less vulnerable to external coercion.
The Trump tariff threat India response encapsulates a pivotal moment in India’s diplomatic evolution—balancing global engagement with strategic independence. From invoking the 1971 lessons of resilience to pushing back on contemporary economic pressure, India is staking a claim to global leadership on its own terms.
