Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has strongly criticised President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, claiming it has undone decades of Western efforts to realign India away from Russia and counter China’s growing influence.
In a series of posts on X, Bolton argued that the steep tariffs on India have weakened strategic ties and handed Chinese President Xi Jinping an opportunity to reshape the geopolitical order in Asia.
“The West has spent decades trying to wean India away from its Cold War attachment to the Soviet Union/Russia, and cautioning India on the threat posed by China. Donald Trump has shredded decades of efforts with his disastrous tariff policy,” Bolton wrote.
He added: “Trump’s unwillingness to consider diplomatic moves in a larger strategic context has given Xi Jinping an opportunity to reset the East.”
Tariffs strain US-India ties
India is facing increased economic pressure after Washington imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports, followed by an additional 25% penalty linked to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. The measures have heightened concerns about the stability of global trade and India’s strategic positioning.
Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser from 2018 to 2019 before resigning over policy differences, has been a vocal critic of the administration’s foreign policy approach.
Context: SCO summit in Tianjin
His remarks came just after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During talks with Xi, Modi underscored the importance of India and China in stabilising global trade. In his meeting with Putin, he highlighted the long-standing India-Russia partnership, describing it as vital for global peace and prosperity. Putin, for his part, noted the 15th anniversary of the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between the two countries.
Bolton suggested that Trump’s tariff-driven policies risk undermining such diplomatic balances, leaving more space for Beijing to expand its influence in the region.
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