Trump administration making a big mistake with India, warns ex-US Commerce Secretary
Former US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo criticised the Trump administration’s trade approach, warning it risks damaging alliances including with India. Speaking at Harvard Kennedy School, she said the 'America Alone' policy is disastrous and admonished the administration for alienating allies through its America First stance.
Gina Raimondo, former US Commerce Secretary, criticized the Trump administration's trade policies, expressing concern that its approach could weaken America’s strategic alliances, notably with India. Speaking at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, Raimondo highlighted that the administration’s America First policy has alienated key allies, leading to a strategic isolation she termed 'America Alone.' She specifically warned that the US is making a significant mistake with India, a crucial partner. This criticism aligns with broader observations that Trump’s imposition of punitive tariffs on India, especially over its energy trade with Russia, has deteriorated a previously growing strategic partnership. The administration’s use of coercive trade diplomacy, including 25% tariffs on Indian goods due to its Russian oil imports, risks compromising long-standing US-India cooperation built over multiple administrations. Critics argue that this approach underestimates India’s domestic economic sensitivities and geopolitical priorities, potentially weakening a valuable counterbalance to China in the region. Raimondo’s comments reflect a call for a more collaborative and nuanced trade and foreign policy strategy with India to preserve and strengthen the alliance rather than undermine it.
