Trump imposed a 25% tariff on India, angrily denouncing the economic ties between India and Russia: "Let the deadlocked economy go with them!"

On Thursday, U.S. President Trump sharply criticized the increasingly close relationship between India and Russia on Truth Social, stating that he "doesn’t care what India and Russia do," and even said he could let their "moribund economies sink together." This statement came right after he announced a decision to impose a 25% tariff on Indian imports starting Friday. The Indian government quickly responded, emphasizing that it would take "all necessary measures to protect national interests," focusing on securing a living space for farmers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses, and hinted that trade negotiations had not been fair for months. Trump also pressured Russia, shortening the deadline for Putin to reach a peace agreement from 50 days to "10 to 12 days."

1. Trump criticizes India-Russia relations, tariff measures to be implemented on Friday

The President of the United States, Trump, no longer hides his attitude. He posted on the Truth Social platform on Thursday, angrily criticizing the deepening relationship between India and Russia:

“I don’t care what India and Russia are up to. They can sink together with their respective moribund economies, it’s none of my business.”

This statement was made the day after he announced to the American public the decision to impose a 25% tariff on India (the tariff takes effect from Friday). Trump accused India of having long relied on Russia for weapons and energy, calling this move "unwise." According to Reuters, he bluntly stated that the U.S. "does almost no business with Russia, and trade with India is also very limited." This remark targets not only the trade between the two countries but also the choice of their trade partners.

II. India's Firm Response: Vows to Protect Farmers and Small Enterprises, Implicitly Referring to Unfair Conditions from the U.S.

Hours after Trump announced the tariffs, the New Delhi side publicly stated its position:

1. Official Statement: The Indian Ministry of Commerce has stated that it has "noted" the announcement from the United States and is "studying its impact."
2. Core Position: India will "take all necessary measures to safeguard national interests," especially those of local farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs.
3. Negotiation Background: The statement does not avoid the fact of prolonged negotiations, pointing out that India and the US have "continued negotiations over the past few months with the aim of reaching a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement," and emphasizing that the Indian side "remains committed to this goal."
4. Diplomatic Signal: India mentioned the recent Free Trade Agreement (FTA) reached with the UK to demonstrate that it does not resist international cooperation, but will never sacrifice domestic economic interests. The statement clearly conveys: India is willing to discuss agreements, but will not compromise on protecting the interests of its people.

3. Dual Pressure: Trump Shortens Ultimatum to Russia, Criticizes Medvedev

Trump's criticism did not stop at India:

1. Criticism of Medvedev: He specifically targeted former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, Medvedev. Previously, Medvedev posted on the X platform, accusing Trump of playing the "Ultimatum Game" with Russia, warning that "every new ultimatum is a threat, a step that pushes (the U.S. and Russia) towards war."
2. Ultimatum to Putin: Trump directly expressed his disappointment with Russian President Putin for not ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He declared that the originally scheduled peace protocol 50-day deadline has now been shortened to "10 to 12 days". The stance is clear: Trump believes Moscow has wasted time, and he has lost patience (Not Waiting Around).

IV. The energy ties between India and Russia continue, Indian Foreign Minister counters Western 'double standards'

Despite facing criticism from the West, India continues to purchase Russian oil. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar defended this:

• Core Logic: India is only fighting for the Best Price for its own people.
• Pointing out the hypocrisy of the EU: He criticized Europe for having double standards (Hypocrisy), stating bluntly that "Europe's problems are the world's problems, but the world's problems are not Europe's problems."

Conclusion: Trump's tariff stick and fierce rhetoric have thoroughly exposed the deep-seated contradictions between the U.S. and India regarding trade fairness and geopolitical alignment. India's hardline response, centered on defending "national interests," signals the beginning of intense trade friction. At the same time, Trump's ultimatum to shorten the peace deadline with Russia, combined with India's refusal to sanction Russian energy, complicates the U.S.-India-Russia triangle relationship even further. Amid the clash of "America First" and "India's autonomy," both global trade patterns and geopolitical dynamics face new pressures for restructuring.