Former US President Donald Trump has made strong statements against India. Speaking during a campaign event, Trump said that India is helping America’s enemies by doing business with them. He warned that if he returns as President in 2024, India could face “very big tariffs within 24 hours.”
His comments have created headlines around the world, especially in India, where trade with the United States is very important for the economy.
What Trump Said
Trump accused several countries, including India, of “fuelling the war machine” by continuing to buy oil and weapons from nations like Russia. According to him, this money is used by those countries to build weapons and fight wars, which is harmful to global peace and security.
He said, “They buy arms from us, but then turn around and buy oil from people who are not our friends. They are supporting our enemies. If I’m back, they will face tariffs—big tariffs—within 24 hours.”
This warning means that Trump wants to use trade pressure on countries like India to change their policies.
What Are Tariffs and Why They Matter
A tariff is a tax that a country places on goods that come from another country. When tariffs are high, products become expensive in the foreign market. This can hurt businesses and reduce exports.
If Trump imposes these tariffs on Indian goods, it could damage India’s trade in many sectors like:
- Textiles and garments
- Steel and aluminium
- Chemicals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Jewellery
India exports many products to the US. If these goods become expensive due to tariffs, buyers in the US may look elsewhere, and Indian businesses will suffer.
Trump’s Past with India
This is not the first time Donald Trump has spoken about trade issues with India. During his previous term as President, he ended some special trade benefits for Indian products under a scheme meant for developing countries. This affected many Indian exporters at that time.
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Trump believes that the US has been taken advantage of by other countries and wants to bring those benefits back to American businesses. His “America First” policy aims to reduce foreign imports and increase domestic production.
India’s Current Trade With Russia
In recent years, India has continued to trade with Russia, especially for oil. Since global oil prices went up, India has been buying cheaper oil from Russia to keep fuel prices low in the country. India also has a long history of defence deals with Russia.
The US has often raised concerns over India’s growing oil trade with Russia, especially since the Russia-Ukraine war began. However, India has maintained that its foreign policy is based on national interest and not outside pressure.
What Could Happen If Trump Returns
If Donald Trump wins the 2024 US presidential election and becomes President again, India may face strong trade decisions very quickly. His warning of taking action “within 24 hours” suggests that there will be no delay in imposing new trade rules.
This could force India to rethink its trade strategies, especially in defence and energy. Indian exporters may also need to prepare for changes in their business plans if tariffs are raised.
So far, the Indian government has not replied to Trump’s latest comments.
Conclusion
Trump’s latest warning is part of his tough talk as he runs for election again. Whether he actually imposes these tariffs or not will depend on many future decisions. But his words clearly show that if he returns to power, he plans to take a harder stand on global trade.
For India, this is a signal to stay alert and be ready for possible changes in one of its biggest international trade relationships.
