Former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has strongly criticised President Donald Trump for what he called a “massive trade offensive” against India, warning that the move risks driving New Delhi closer to Beijing.
Speaking on The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller, Sullivan said many US allies and partners now perceive Washington as “a big disruptor” rather than a reliable partner, while China has gained ground in global popularity.
Sullivan highlighted India as a prime example, saying that Washington had been working on strengthening its partnership with New Delhi on a bipartisan basis, particularly in the context of the China challenge. However, Trump’s imposition of sweeping tariffs has strained ties and forced the country “to sit with China.”
“The American brand globally is in the toilet. Look at India. Trump has executed a massive trade offensive against them. Now, India is thinking, shit, we have to go sit down with China to hedge against America,” Sullivan said.
The remarks come just days after the United States imposed a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports, effective August 27. This is now the highest tariff rate imposed on any country and is expected to hurt sectors like textiles, jewellery, and mechanical appliances, potentially affecting growth and jobs in India.
Trump has justified the additional 25 per cent tariff hike as a response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. However, a report by investment banking firm Jefferies on Friday suggested that the trade escalation is rooted in Trump’s frustration over not being allowed to mediate in the India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year. Agriculture is also cited as a point of contention between the two nations.
According to Sullivan, this approach undermines US efforts to cultivate long-term strategic ties with India: “Here’s a country we were trying to build a deeper and more sustainable relationship with. Instead, because of these tariffs, India now feels compelled to explore closer engagement with China.”
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