NATO Advisor F. Crystal Kaur Criticizes Trump's Tariff Policy. She states that it will increase distrust in Indo-US relations and this strategy will not be effective on India.
Trump Tariff: The decision by US President Donald Trump to impose a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods has triggered international criticism. F. Crystal Kaur, who advises NATO on diplomatic affairs, has described this decision as Trump's 'power play' strategy. She clearly stated that this step is further widening the trust deficit between the two countries.
F. Crystal Kaur believes that former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama worked for years to strengthen Indo-US relations. But Trump's policy could undo all those efforts. She believes that this is not just a trade decision, but part of a strategic pressure tactic.
Trump's Pressure Will Not Affect India
Crystal Kaur said that Trump is using this strategy not only on India, but also on Japan and other countries to exert his influence. But she doesn't think this strategy will have much impact on India. She said that India has strengthened its global position and, as a strategic partner, will not succumb to any kind of pressure.
50% Tariff Affects Not Only Trade, But Also Relations
F. Crystal Kaur said that the decision to impose a 50 percent tariff is not just an economic issue. She said that it will negatively impact the trade relations between India and the US, as well as political and strategic ties. In a conversation with PTI, she said, "I am very disappointed with this decision. It is detrimental to the relations between the two countries."
She said that Indo-US relations are already in a delicate phase. The positivity that had come into these relations since the nuclear agreement could gradually turn into distrust.
Criticism of Trump's 'Arm-Twisting' Policy
F. Crystal Kaur described Trump's policy as an 'arm-twisting' strategy. She said that this is Trump's way of getting his way, but this method will not work on a country like India. She gave the example of Trump putting pressure on even long-standing US strategic partners like Japan.
Voices of Opposition Rise from Within the US
Criticism of Trump's tariff policy is not only coming from international forums, but also from within the US. Former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul questioned why India is being targeted when China buys far more oil from Russia. He asked that if doing business with Russia is a problem, why isn't the same strictness being applied to China.
Dollar Weakness and Impact on US Consumers
Europac's chief economist Peter Schiff has also bly criticized Trump's policy. He said that imposing a 50 percent tariff on imports from India could prove to be a self-defeating step for the US. The decline in the value of the dollar and the decrease in the purchasing power of domestic consumers are a warning sign for the American economy. He also said that this could benefit the BRICS countries and weaken the position of the US.
