Bolton Criticizes Trump’s Tariff Strategy with India
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton openly criticized President Donald Trump on Friday, claiming that his approach to tariffs with India is filled with “unforced errors.” Bolton’s comments came shortly after he referred to the recent 50% tariff against India as a “mistake in the bilateral relationship” and a “backward” step.
Trump has continuously claimed that India is aiding Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine, a point supported by some high-ranking officials in his administration who have issued strong warnings.
Bolton pointed out that when Trump imposed tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil, while not penalizing China for the same, it could have pushed India closer to an alliance with Beijing and Moscow. He argued that this lack of focus from the Trump administration represents a major miscalculation. Bolton stressed that India’s strong reaction to the tariffs indicates a move closer to Russia, which goes against U.S. interests. He shared his thoughts on the social media platform X, highlighting the administration’s failure in strategic planning.
New Tariffs and International Reactions
In early August, Trump had already established a 25% tariff on Indian imports, with intentions to add another 25% due to India’s continued oil purchases from Russia. This places India among the highest tariffed nations, alongside Brazil. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that if discussions between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin don’t yield progress, additional sanctions or tariffs could be on the way.
Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air shows that as of June 2025, China accounted for 47% of Russia’s crude oil exports, while India purchased 38%. Even amid an ongoing trade dispute, China has not faced significant penalties regarding its oil imports from Russia.
Trump hinted at potential tariff adjustments in a recent White House news conference but provided no specific details. He later signed an executive order extending the tariff deadline for China by another 90 days without changes.
Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Aspirations
Bolton also took a jab at Trump earlier this week, suggesting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi might consider nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize—twice. Trump has been actively seeking this prestigious award recently, gaining nominations from leaders in Pakistan and Israel.
The White House has noted the potential for such recognition, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasizing that it’s time for the Nobel committee to take notice of Trump’s efforts. According to her, the President has managed to broker an average of one peace deal or ceasefire per month during his time in office, making a strong case for the award.
