Trump Calls India and Russia “Dead Economies,” Announces New Tariffs on New Delhi

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after calling India and Russia “dead economies” while confirming that a new round of tariffs on New Delhi will take effect this week.

In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump said, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”

The president criticized India for its high import duties, describing them as “among the highest in the world.” He also noted that the US does “very little business” with both India and Russia, adding that he prefers to “keep it that way.”

Trump announced that a 25% tariff on Indian goods will begin on Friday, along with an unspecified “penalty” over India’s continued purchase of Russian weapons and energy. He did not clarify what the penalty would involve.

The remarks come as Trump continues to pressure Russia to end its three-year war in Ukraine. Earlier this week, he warned that the US could impose more sanctions on Moscow within 10 days and hinted at “secondary tariffs” on countries that continue to trade with Russia, such as India and China.

Russian officials dismissed Trump’s threats. Former President Dmitry Medvedev, now a close ally of Vladimir Putin, mocked the US leader’s ultimatum, calling it “theatrical.” Trump hit back, warning Medvedev to “watch his words,” saying he was entering “very dangerous territory.”

India, now the world’s most populous country, has been in trade talks with the Trump administration for months. However, negotiations have stalled due to US demands for greater market access, particularly in India’s agriculture and dairy sectors.

The new tariff is slightly lower than an earlier proposal in April but remains higher than those levied on other Asian nations with trade agreements with Washington.

With tensions rising, the move risks straining relations between Washington and New Delhi, one of the US’s key partners in Asia.