John Bolton Unleashes Scathing Critique: US Tariffs on India 'Confused' and 'Incoherent'

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has delivered a blistering indictment of the United States' trade policy towards India, sharply criticizing the imposition of tariffs and branding President Trump's New Delhi strategy as 'confused' and 'incoherent'. Bolton's remarks underscore a deep concern within influential foreign policy circles regarding the potential damage to a critically important strategic alliance.

Speaking emphatically, Bolton stated, 'The problem is not with India, the problem is with the current administration's trade policy.

It's a confused and incoherent policy.' This pointed criticism highlights a sentiment that the White House's approach to India lacks clear strategic direction, instead opting for trade measures that could undermine broader geopolitical objectives.

Bolton, a prominent voice in conservative foreign policy, did not mince words when discussing the decision to remove India from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) list.

'I have always felt that one of the worst mistakes we made in the first two and a half years was to impose tariffs on India and take them off the GSP list,' he asserted. His argument pivots on India's irreplaceable role as a strategic ally for the United States, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region where China's growing influence poses a significant challenge.

He further elaborated on the counterproductive nature of these economic penalties, emphasizing that the US should be actively nurturing its relationship with India, not jeopardizing it through trade disputes.

'India is a critical strategic ally of the United States. We should be doing everything we can to improve our relationship with them, not put tariffs on them,' Bolton stressed. He views the tariffs as a strategic misstep, especially at a time when Washington aims to draw India closer to Western alliances and away from traditional ties with nations like Russia and the escalating influence of China.

The former National Security Advisor's critique suggests that the short-term focus on trade imbalances, through the use of tariffs, overshadowed the long-term strategic imperative of strengthening ties with a democratic powerhouse in Asia.

Bolton's intervention serves as a powerful reminder of the delicate balance between economic leverage and geopolitical alignment, advocating for a more cohesive and far-sighted US policy towards New Delhi.