Washington: In a rare display of bipartisan unity, Republicans and Democrats have condemned US President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, warning it could jeopardize one of the most important diplomatic partnerships of the 21st century.
Kurt Campbell, former US Deputy Secretary of State and architect of past Indo-Pacific strategies, delivered one of the strongest rebukes. Speaking to CNBC International, he cautioned that Trump’s approach “puts the US–India relationship in grave danger” and leaves New Delhi in a politically challenging position.
“Prime Minister Modi cannot and should not bend the knee to President Trump,” Campbell declared, adding that pressuring India over its ties with Russia would likely backfire. “Tell Indian strategists to sacrifice their relationship with Russia, and they’ll do the exact opposite,” he warned.
Former Vice President Mike Pence also criticized the plan, posting on X: “American companies and American consumers pay the cost of American tariffs.” He cited Ford’s $800 million tariff bill in just three months despite US-based production.
Experts caution that the proposed tariffs risk undoing years of bipartisan progress in US–India relations, potentially driving India closer to Beijing or Moscow at a time when Washington seeks to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
