Former US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has warned that the Trump administration’s tariff escalation against India risks damaging ties with a key partner at a time when Washington needs New Delhi to counter China’s rise.
In an opinion piece in ‘Newsweek’, Haley argued that India must not be treated on par with China. She criticised the decision to impose additional tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s oil trade with Moscow, calling it “counterproductive.”
“Treating India like an adversary instead of a partner would be a massive — and preventable — mistake”, Haley stressed.
The Trump administration has already levied a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports and announced plans to raise duties further, potentially impacting nearly $50 billion worth of exports. India’s Commerce Ministry told Parliament earlier this week that $48.2 billion in merchandise shipments will face the 50 per cent tariff from August 27.
Haley, who has endorsed Trump for 2024 but continues to voice concerns, said India’s partnership is critical for US economic and security interests. She pointed to India’s role in diversifying supply chains, manufacturing at scale, and expanding defence cooperation with US allies.
She added that India’s demographic advantage and fast-growing economy make it central to reshaping global power balances. “Scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can counter Chinese dominance in Asia would be a strategic disaster,” she warned.
Haley, the first Indian American to serve in a US cabinet, ended her presidential bid in March this year but has continued to push for stronger India-US ties.
IANS