August 29, 2025

Brace yourself for a fiery showdown! Richard Wolff, a famous American economist, has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump's decision to slap a massive 50% tariff on Indian imports. Speaking to Russia Today, Wolff described the move as the US acting like the "world's tough guy" — but with a big blunder. Why? Because instead of hurting India, these hefty tariffs push India closer to the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), making them a powerful economic alternative to the West. The United States surprised many on Wednesday by doubling tariffs on Indian goods, demanding high prices over India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. This tariff hike is the toughest among US trade partners, matching Brazil’s level. Economists worry this could slow growth and cost jobs in America itself. In conversation with journalist Rick Sanchez, Wolff pointed out a major shift. "The world just changed," Sanchez said, noting India has now overtaken China as the most populous country on the planet. Wolff added, "If the United States, or Mr Trump, continues with threats against India, which has a long historical relationship with Russia going back to the Soviet Union days, they are playing with a very different adversary." He explained how the tariffs might backfire big time. "If the United States shuts itself off to India by big tariffs, India will have to find other places to sell its exports. Just as Russia found another place to sell its energy, India will sell its goods no longer to the United States but to the rest of the BRICS nations," said Wolff. With a wry tone, he called this a "spectacle of the United States acting like the world's 'tough guy' while it actually shoots itself in the foot." Adding fuel to the fire, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro called the Russia-Ukraine conflict “PM Modi's war” in a sharp interview. Navarro blamed India’s buying of cheap Russian crude for making the US and Europe keep funding Ukraine’s fight. "Everyone in America loses because of what India is doing. Consumers, businesses, and workers lose," Navarro said. He also called India "arrogant" for putting its energy needs first and urged New Delhi to "side with democracies." India, on its part, slammed the tariffs as "unjustified and unreasonable." The government insists it will defend its national interests and economic security, signaling tough times ahead in India-US trade relations. So, the spice is on! Will this economic drama push India and the US further apart, or find an unexpected solution? Stay tuned!

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Tags: Trump tariffs, India-us trade, Brics, Richard wolff, Peter navarro, Russia-ukraine conflict,