Former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has warned that President Donald Trump’s new trade tariffs on India are hurting America’s global reputation. He said the move is forcing India to rethink its partnerships and could push India closer to China.
Jake Sullivan’s comments show that aggressive trade policies can affect not just the economy, but also diplomacy, strategic ties, and global trust in the US.
Sullivan Criticizes Trump’s Trade Moves
Speaking on The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller, Sullivan said, “American brand globally is in the toilet.” He explained that sweeping tariffs make the US look like “a big disruptor” instead of a reliable partner.
Sullivan highlighted India as a key example. “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,” he said.
He warned that Trump’s trade actions could damage America’s credibility for a long time and affect how the US is able to influence global decisions.
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US-India Relations Could Suffer
Jake Sullivan said decades of effort to build strong ties with India could be undone by these tariffs. “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 explained.
He also noted that other countries are rethinking their relationship with the US. “When I go to these places now and I talk to leaders, they are talking about derisking from the United States. They now see the US as the big disruptor, the country that can’t be counted on,” Sullivan added.
Trump’s trade policy is changing how countries in Asia see the US and may weaken long-standing partnerships.
Domestic Opposition & Legal Concerns
Trump’s tariffs are also being criticized domestically. Several Democrats and trade experts say the tariffs are illegal and outside the president’s power, and these initiatives are being scrutinized by lawmakers and judges, which could limit the administration’s ability to carry them out further.
This shows that the tariffs are a challenge both internationally and legally within the US.
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Key Details of Trump’s Tariffs on India
The tariffs came into effect on August 27. They were first paused on April 2 for a 90-day negotiation window but were reinstated after little progress.
Key points include:
A 25% tariff on Indian goods.
India is subject to an additional 25% tariff for purchasing Russian Oil.
This raises the possibility of a developing trade war since it raises the overall levies on Indian goods to 50%.
Long-Term Impact
India may strengthen its ties with China in retaliation for these tariffs, which could change world relations and reduce US influence in Asia. Jake Sullivan also stressed that in addition to being economically significant, trade decisions are important as they impact alliances, diplomacy, and America’s reputation abroad.
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