Tariff Tensions Backfire? John Bolton Warns Trump’s Strategy May Strengthen India’s Ties with Russia and China

Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has raised serious alarms over President Trump’s recent surge in tariffs on Indian goods, suggesting the move could dramatically undercut decades of American diplomatic progress. Speaking to CNN, Bolton called the decision “an enormous mistake” that could inadvertently nudge India closer to Russia and China—the very partners the U.S. had hoped to distance New Delhi from.

 

Bolton criticized the apparent double standard in Trump’s trade approach: while India faces stiff penalties, China seems to be receiving a notably softer treatment. Such disparity, Bolton warned, mirrors a broader shift in U.S. strategy—favoring transactional leverage over long‑term alliances.

 

He argued that targeting India with tariffs intended to “hurt Russia” ironically risks pushing India into closer alignment with the very nations the U.S. views as strategic competitors. It’s a move that could severely erode trust and fracture relationships at a time when unified support matters most.