Senior Congress MP and Thiruvananthapuram representative Shashi Tharoor on Friday launched a scathing critique of US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies targeting India, describing them as “unpleasant, unfair, uneven, and unjust.” Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Tharoor took aim at what he termed Trump’s “idiotic” negotiation style and “belittling” language, highlighting the unusual nature of such public diplomatic insults.
“Trump has picked the wrong people to insult,” Tharoor said. He pointed out that India, in response to Washington’s tariff threats, had reportedly paused a key arms purchase deal, signalling a need for New Delhi to stand firm and negotiate from a position of strength and pride. “We cannot accept a situation where one side unilaterally decides the terms and expects the other to comply,” he asserted.
Tharoor acknowledged that India may have miscalculated in its trade negotiation approach but emphasised that the talks are not over, with a crucial deadline set for August 27. “I don’t know if this miscalculation or Trump’s negotiating zeal has gone beyond his own government. We will find out very soon,” he said.
The Congress MP stressed that President Trump himself is not directly involved in the negotiation table, but rather uses public pressure and provocative rhetoric to influence India’s stance. “He is making noise and putting pressure on India,” Tharoor observed.
Highlighting the double standards in US trade policies, Tharoor criticised the 90-day negotiation window extended to China, contrasting it with India’s limited 21 window. “China has a 90-day window, but we have none. The European Union has been given even more time. This is deeply unfair and unjust,” he said. He further noted that although China imports more oil and gas from Russia than India, its goods face lower tariffs, 30 percent compared to the proposed 50 percent on Indian products if talks fail.
Tharoor also questioned Washington’s accusations that India’s purchase of Russian oil fuels the Ukraine war, pointing out that the US itself imports uranium from Russia. “The US is buying fertilisers worth billions from Russia. How can Trump claim our money is funding the Russian war machine?” he asked. He maintained that India’s decisions, including buying Russian oil, are made in the national interest and reflect global market realities.
Warning of the economic impact post-August 27, Tharoor cautioned that American consumers would find Indian goods more expensive than competitors, likely hurting exports. “We don’t have to take Trump literally, but we must take him seriously,” he said, urging India to diversify trade partnerships by strengthening ties with countries like the UK and UAE.
On a separate note, Tharoor responded to Trump’s repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire during the India-Pakistan Operation Sindoor. He suggested Trump might have pressured Pakistani leadership but asserted that the conflict ended only after India struck 11 Pakistani air bases, with Pakistan then requesting a ceasefire the following morning.
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