A London Daily report has suggested that the 50 per cent punitive tariff imposed by the US on Indian goods stems more from President Donald Trump’s ego than from economic reasoning.
The report claimed President Trump acted after India contradicted his assertion that he had brokered the ceasefire with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor.
“Trump’s 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods is as much about showing off power as about economics. The irony is striking. While India is being targeted for buying Russian oil, EU countries quietly imported €21.9 billion in Russian fossil fuels last year, more than the €18.7 billion they sent in aid to Ukraine,” the article noted.
The report highlighted that relations soured after New Delhi refused to credit Trump for stopping the flare-up with Pakistan.
India clarified that it had destroyed Pakistan’s terrorist camps and strategic air bases in Operation Sindoor, after which Islamabad requested a ceasefire.
This version directly contradicted Trump’s claim of playing peacemaker. Pakistan, meanwhile, backed Trump’s narrative and even recommended his name for the Nobel Peace Prize, a move that further strained US-India ties.
The London Daily pointed out that the situation worsened when Pakistan praised Trump’s supposed role in the ceasefire and suggested nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
India distanced itself from the move, while Trump, who has often implied he deserved the Nobel, reportedly viewed India’s stance as a snub.
Trump also justified the tariff hike as sanctions against India for continuing to buy Russian oil, claiming the move would pressure Moscow into accepting a peace deal in Ukraine.
India, however, has maintained that its Russian oil purchases serve both national and global interests.
New Delhi argued that its imports keep domestic prices stable and prevent global oil prices from spiking, benefiting the international community.
Observers have noted the selective nature of Trump’s actions. While India faces punitive tariffs for buying Russian oil, China, which imports even more oil from Russia, has not faced similar US penalties.
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