Bolton Unloads: Ex-US NSA Slams Trump's 'Scattershot' India Tariffs and 'Jokes' About Modi's Nobel

In a candid and critical assessment, former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has vehemently denounced Donald Trump's approach to international trade and diplomacy, particularly singling out his administration's "scattershot" imposition of tariffs on allies like India. Bolton, a prominent figure from Trump's inner circle, pulled no punches in an interview, describing Trump's tariff strategy as fundamentally flawed and lacking coherent thought.

Bolton underscored his long-held belief that the former President's foreign policy was often driven by transactional impulses rather than enduring strategic objectives. He elaborated on Trump's tendency to prioritize immediate gains or even personal optics over the deeper, long-term implications of his decisions on global alliances and economic partnerships. This transactional mindset, Bolton suggests, led to policies that were frequently ill-conceived and potentially damaging to vital relationships, including that with India.

A particularly telling anecdote shared by Bolton involved Trump's peculiar "joke" about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserving the Nobel Peace Prize – not once, but twice. Bolton recounted that during a conversation, Trump remarked, "I think Modi should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Twice." The former NSA's interpretation of this comment was far from complimentary. He suggested that Trump's seemingly grand pronouncement was less about genuine admiration for Modi's peacemaking efforts and more about Trump's own desire for a favorable photo opportunity or a transactional outcome.

Bolton, with characteristic dryness, then offered a sardonic suggestion: "I think the Prime Minister should nominate him [Trump] for the Nobel Prize twice. Because that's what he demanded." This ironic twist highlights Bolton's view of Trump's self-serving approach to diplomacy and his expectation of personal gratification, even in matters of global recognition.

The former NSA’s critique extends beyond the specific tariffs, touching upon the broader implications of Trump's "America First" agenda. He argues that such policies, while ostensibly designed to protect US interests, often alienated traditional allies and undermined the very international order the US helped to build. The imposition of tariffs on India, a key strategic partner, is presented as a prime example of this counterproductive approach.

Bolton’s revelations provide a stark insider's view into the unpredictable and often erratic nature of the Trump administration's foreign policy, painting a picture of decisions made on impulse rather than through careful deliberation, with potential lasting repercussions for global relations.