Chinese media has reacted sharply to US President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 50% tariff on India. The Global Times stated that the US only wants friends who are obedient and do not object.
Trump Tariff India: US President Donald Trump's decision to impose import duties (Tariffs) of up to 50 percent on India has created a new stir in international trade relations. China's state-run newspaper Global Times has reacted sharply to this decision. In its editorial, the newspaper has praised India's strategic autonomy, calling America's policies "hegemonic."
Obedient Friend or Strategic Independence?
The Global Times says that the US considers India a "great friend," but only when it follows American orders. As soon as India shows independence in its foreign policy, it falls out of favor with the US.
The newspaper wrote that the recent decline in trade relations between India and the US is not due to the purchase of crude oil from Russia, but because of India's disagreement with American orders. The US wants to see India only as an "obedient friend."
America's Strategy: Imposing Decisions Through Pressure
The Global Times believes that the US is unable to accept India's strategic autonomy. When India prioritized its own interests by deciding to buy crude oil from Russia, the US considered it against its global strategy. That is why the US is now trying to put pressure on India by imposing trade tariffs.
Double Standards: America Itself Trades with Russia
The Global Times has also highlighted the double standards of the US and the European Union. It said that on one hand, the US accuses India of trading with Russia, while on the other hand, it itself imports large quantities of uranium, palladium, and modified oil from Russia.
Talk of Friendship in February, Now a Rift in Relations
It is noteworthy that just a few months ago, US President Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "fantastic friend." But now the same US is trying to strategically subdue India by imposing heavy tariffs on it. This change exposes the instability of international relations and America's self-serving policy.
Reasons for the Rift in US-India Relations
The Global Times' analysis states that the US wanted India to open its market further for American agricultural products. But India refused to do so in the interest of its farmers. These trade differences have now become the cause of the tariff dispute.
In addition, America is using India's closeness with Russia to exert pressure. America's aim is twofold—to put indirect pressure on Russia and to bend India in the American direction.
Is India's "Mistake" Just Buying Oil?
The Global Times raised an important question—is India's mistake just that it bought oil from Russia? Or is the real issue that India is refusing to obey American orders? The US considers India's diplomatic independence as betrayal, while this independence has been the identity of India's foreign policy.
India Advocates for a Multipolar World
The Global Times praised India's foreign policy, saying that India has adopted a balanced geo-political approach in recent years. India is active on platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), while also promoting security cooperation with the US, Japan, and Australia.
PM Modi's China Visit Amid the Tariff Dispute
Meanwhile, a major diplomatic development is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit China at the end of August. This visit is taking place at a time when there is tension in trade and strategic relations between the US and India. This visit reflects India's independent foreign policy.
