Trump’s India tariffs branded ‘the stupidest tactical move in US foreign policy’ by experts

A former White House official has sharply criticised Donald Trump’s tariff strategy against India, warning that it is harming America’s global image and inadvertently boosting China’s standing.

Jake Sullivan, who served as National Security Adviser to former President Joe Biden, argued that the policy is damaging the “US brand” and risks driving New Delhi closer to Beijing.

In an interview on The Bulwark podcast with Tim Miller, Sullivan remarked, “China has moved ahead of the United States in popularity in a whole lot of countries, and that was not the case one year ago, where countries now are basically, you know, saying the US brand is in the toilet and China is looking like a more responsible player.”

Sullivan, who also worked as Director of Policy during the Obama administration, said Trump’s tariffs were giving China a chance to appear more stable and reliable.

How could tariffs affect India’s position?

According to Sullivan, the measures risk undermining US efforts to strengthen ties with India, particularly in the face of China’s growing influence. 

“We were working to try to build a deeper, sustainable relationship with India, and the China challenge loomed large in that. President Trump executed a massive trade offensive against them, and the Indians are saying, I guess maybe we have to go show up in Beijing and sit with the Chinese because we’ve got a hedge against America,” he explained.

Are other countries losing faith in the US?

Sullivan also warned that Washington’s actions are making allies view the US as unreliable. “Big disruptor” was the phrase he used to describe how America is now being seen by global partners.

He argued that world leaders feel the need to “derisk” from the United States, pointing to India as an example of a country now edging closer to China. The comment comes as India and China have eased tensions in recent months, their closest engagement since the Galwan clashes of 2020, while Beijing seeks deeper cooperation in light of Trump’s tariff policies.

Who else has criticised Trump’s tariffs?

Sullivan is not alone. A growing number of senior US officials, past and present, have openly questioned Trump’s approach to India.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry, who worked under Barack Obama, commented last week:

“Great nations don’t necessarily exhibit greatness by giving people ultimatums all the time without sort of a genuine diplomatic effort.”

Trump’s former aide John Bolton also spoke out earlier this month. In an interview with CNN, he described it as ironic that a secondary 25% tariff, intended to hit Russia, could instead push India closer to both Russia and China. He warned this might even result in those nations negotiating together against the US.

US foreign policy expert Christopher Padilla echoed this concern, warning that tariffs could cast doubt on America’s reliability.

Top economist Jeffrey Sachs was even more blunt, calling Trump’s tariffs on India “the stupidest tactical move in US foreign policy.”

Critics argue that instead of isolating rivals, the policy may be isolating the United States itself.