Here’s a summary of the key points from the provided text, focusing on the impact of Trump‘s policies on the U.S.-India relationship:
Trump’s Tariffs & Policy: The Trump governance imposed significant tariffs on India (reaching 50% on some goods) as leverage to gain concessions, especially in agricultural and dairy sectors. This was framed as a “two-pronged policy” to both punish India for supporting Russia and to force favorable trade terms.
Erosion of Trust: These policies, described as “volatile and at times punitive,” have undermined mutual trust between the U.S. and India and strained the personal relationship between trump and Modi. Experts note the approach lacked negotiation experience and felt like a breach of long-standing strategic trust.
Pushing India Towards China: The tariffs and other actions (like warming relations with Pakistan, a Chinese ally) are perceived as pushing India closer to China.
Strategic Goals vs. Tactics: While the U.S. aims to use India to balance China and maintain its global influence, Trump’s tactics are seen as ”highly personalized, driven by domestic politics, inconsistent, and short-termist.”
Unrealistic Expectations: The article suggests the U.S. had unrealistic expectations that India would fully align with its policies against China and Russia, open its markets completely, and ignore relations with Pakistan.
Relationship Not Fatal,But Damaged: Despite the damage,a complete breakdown of the U.S.-India relationship is unlikely due to the high stakes and significant investment both sides have made in it. However,the damage is serious.
In essence, the article argues that Trump’s trade policies, while intended to benefit the U.S., have backfired by damaging a crucial strategic partnership with India and possibly driving it into the orbit of a major competitor, China.
