India Hits Back at Trump’s Tariff Move, Exposes Western Double Standards

On August 4, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, set to take effect from August 7. In response, the Modi government issued a strong statement condemning the move as unjust and irrational, while simultaneously exposing the hypocrisy of both the United States and Europe in global trade practices.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated clearly that India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized the U.S. tariff policy and backed it with data showing how Western nations continue to conduct significant trade with Russia, despite sanctions.

According to India's official press note, while the West criticizes India for importing Russian oil, Europe and the U.S. themselves continue to buy Russian fertilizers, uranium hexafluoride, and palladium for electric vehicles. The note emphasized that India’s trade with Russia is essential for affordable and reliable energy for its citizens, unlike the West, for whom such trade is not a necessity but a choice.

The ministry also revealed that at the start of the Ukraine war, the U.S. had privately encouraged India to continue buying oil from Russia to stabilize the global energy market. India reiterated that it will not compromise its strategic autonomy and will continue to act in the best interests of its population.