Policy of overkill: MJ Akbar says Trump's tariffs will hurt America, not India

UPDATED: Aug 28, 2025 02:22 IST

Former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar has criticised US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, calling it an “exercise in power” that could weaken America instead of strengthening it. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Akbar said the move reflected Washington’s disregard for allies and displayed what he called “a policy of overkill.”

“Trump’s tariffs seem at the moment an exercise in power, but in the very short run, they will weaken America,” he said. “This is also a policy that shows that President Trump does not believe in friends. He believes in dependence. Prime Minister Modi has effectively challenged the economic imperialism of America.”

Akbar questioned Washington’s rationale behind slapping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, asking whether it was linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil. “Germany has been buying oil from Russia throughout the war. Why are there no 50% tariffs on Germany? China buys more gas and energy from Russia than we do. Why is President Trump uncertain and seems even insecure with China?” he remarked.

Akbar added that the policy could trigger unexpected realignments. "One of the consequences of tariff turbulence is that India and China have revived a cooling relationship. And this revival has had an enormously significant geopolitical impact and good bilateral impact as well," Akbar said.

While acknowledging some disruption to Indian trade, Akbar dismissed fears of major losses. “The extent of damage to our international trade is certainly not as significant as some people might want you to believe. The logic of the American argument for these tariffs has collapsed under the glare of facts and truth.”

Turning to the bigger picture, Akbar said global attention had shifted away from Washington. “The world’s spotlight is now focused this week on the meeting at SCO between Prime Minister Modi, President Xi, and President Putin. It is not focused on Washington,” he observed.

However, Akbar warned that the United States risked diplomatic isolation under Trump’s approach. “I foresee that America will soon become at its weakest point since 1914 because America now has lost the faith of its allies in Europe and America has lost the trust of its friends in the rest of the world, India being one of them,” Akbar said.

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With inputs from ANI