Trump’s Tariffs Backfire: India Moves Closer to China and Russia

Date: August 21, 2025

A Trade Rift Turns Strategic
The Trump administration’s sweeping tariff hikes on Indian goods have sent shockwaves through one of Washington’s most important partnerships. What began as a dispute over agricultural subsidies and energy imports has escalated into a wider diplomatic rift. Tariffs of up to 50% on Indian exports are forcing New Delhi to reexamine its alliances and deepen ties with America’s chief rivals.

India Strengthens Moscow Ties
This week in Moscow, India and Russia pledged to expand their economic cooperation. Agreements are being finalized in energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and Arctic development. Russia remains one of India’s most dependable oil suppliers, and trade volumes between the two nations continue to grow despite Western sanctions. For Moscow, India’s defiance of U.S. tariffs offers a welcome partner; for New Delhi, it provides a crucial alternative to reliance on the American market.

A Cautious Opening to Beijing
China, too, is stepping into the void. Despite historic tensions, India and China are exploring cooperation in areas such as electric vehicles and manufacturing. While mistrust persists along the disputed border, the lure of economic opportunity is pulling the two Asian giants into closer dialogue.

Warnings From Washington
Strategists in the U.S. are alarmed. Critics argue that the tariffs undermine decades of diplomatic investment in India, a country long seen as a democratic counterbalance to China’s rise. Some former officials have called the situation a strategic misstep that risks driving India directly into the orbit of Beijing and Moscow.

India Defends Its Independence
Indian leaders insist they are not abandoning their U.S. ties but reaffirm their commitment to strategic autonomy. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar defended Russian oil imports as essential for energy security and dismissed U.S. criticism as short-sighted. He emphasized that India maintains broad trade with the U.S., but will not accept policies that jeopardize its sovereignty.

A Shifting Global Order
The fallout from Washington’s tariffs goes beyond trade disputes. It signals a potential realignment of global partnerships at a time when blocs like BRICS are gaining influence. For the U.S., what was intended as economic pressure could instead accelerate the emergence of a multipolar world where India, China, and Russia work more closely together.

August 21, 2025, marks a turning point in U.S.–India relations. Trump’s tariff gamble may win points at home but risks losing a crucial partner abroad. As India edges toward China and Russia, Washington faces the possibility that one of its strongest democratic allies in Asia may drift into the embrace of its rivals.