India Won’t Bend to Trump’s Trade Bullying

 Lalit Garg

When a global superpower begins to treat trade as a tool of bargaining and coercion, it not only unsettles the global economy but also challenges the foundational principles of international cooperation. U.S. President Donald Trump, by imposing a 25% tariff on Indian goods, has delivered such a blow to economic balance. The intent is clear—to curb the growing competitiveness of Indian products and reassert American dominance. This imposition casts a shadow over India’s goal, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to become the third-largest global economy. The short- and long-term impacts of this tariff remain to be seen, but the Indian government’s firm stance in response is commendable. The United States has long been India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $190 billion in 2024. Trump and Modi had once envisioned increasing that to $500 billion—but that ambitious goal now appears uncertain. Indian companies must now cautiously explore and expand into new markets.

India today is among the fastest-growing major economies in the world. Initiatives like Make in India, Startup India, and Digital India have transformed the country into a hub of production and innovation. With a strong foothold in sectors like textiles, steel, auto parts, and IT services, India's growing global competitiveness seems to have triggered this American overreaction. But this decision is not merely economic; it is strategic. The Trump administration has consistently linked trade balance to national pride. Its “America First” doctrine essentially promotes pushing others back in order to move the U.S. forward. This unilateral mindset weakens the values of trade and genuine partnership. Negotiations between the two countries failed to reach a resolution by the August 1 deadline largely because India rightly refused to concede to one-sided American terms. And it should continue to resist such pressure. India should never accept a trade deal that disproportionately favors the U.S. True trade agreements thrive only when both parties benefit. India must remain resolute in defending its interests and should make it unequivocally clear that it will not bow to unjust demands by the U.S. President. India need not fear Trump’s unilateral decisions, especially considering his known tendency to reverse his own statements. Such unpredictability has already tarnished his credibility on the global stage. He must recognize that today’s India is no longer the India of the past—and even America's global influence is not what it once was.

Trump’s approach has always been “apply pressure and make them bend.” His trade policies have been confrontational with China, Europe, and Mexico as well. India, however, has traditionally followed a path of balanced diplomacy. Despite repeated efforts at peaceful negotiations, Trump’s aggressive stance and transactional mindset left little room for mutual understanding. The 25% tariff on India is not just economically unfair—it is an attack on the right of emerging nations to become self-reliant. It reflects a new form of neocolonialism, where powerful nations seek to dominate developing ones through economic weapons. This latest announcement of tariffs and penalties is yet another attempt at coercive politics. But the world is increasingly aware of this manipulation. It’s time even India’s opposition parties recognized this game. The falsity of Trump’s claims was laid bare when Prime Minister Modi, during a parliamentary discussion on Operation Sindoor, stated unequivocally that no foreign leader had any role in halting military action between India and Pakistan. Trump’s repeated claims to the contrary have no substance, which is why he keeps reiterating them—perhaps to convince himself more than anyone else. Today’s India is not just a large market but a powerhouse of innovation. With the world’s largest youth population, a rapidly expanding digital economy, and a diverse and dynamic industrial base, India is steadily becoming a global economic force. It is shifting from a model of dependence to one of self-reliance. Trump’s tariff may have a temporary effect, but India’s economic rise is long-term and resolute. Now is the time to turn this challenge into an opportunity—to identify new markets, strengthen domestic production, and redefine global partnerships. Trump’s bullying cannot bring India to its knees. Instead, it will only strengthen our resolve and accelerate the march toward Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).

We must understand that power is not always countered with power—it can also be countered with vision, patience, and strategy. Trump’s tariff may be a provocation, but India has a rich history of emerging stronger through struggle. We have always turned crisis into opportunities, and this time will be no different—not just for the sake of our economy, but for global economic balance as well. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic philosophy is rooted in “Self-Reliant India,” “Development with Trust,” and “Equal Partnership.” On the global stage, he positions India not as a subordinate, but as an equal stakeholder. His response to Trump’s tariff assault is not confrontation, but creative alternatives. For him, such pressures are opportunities for deepening domestic manufacturing and expanding global diversification.Sectors affected by the tariffs—steel, auto parts, textiles—are likely to receive subsidies, tax incentives, and technological support from the government. India may also deepen ties with alternative global markets—Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America—to buffer the impact of these American tariffs. Trump claims to consider India a friend—but what kind of friendship disregards the needs of India’s poor, farmers, and workers? Modi too believes in friendship, but not at the cost of national self-respect. His foreign policy blends dialogue with dignity. India will neither bend nor break under pressure. Be it Trump’s tariff or any other global crisis, Modi’s India seeks opportunity in every challenge.

His economic vision is not dictated by any foreign nation—it is crafted to suit India’s needs, potential, and pride. When global powers begin using tariffs as weapons, it only signals that India has grown strong enough to make them uncomfortable. Modi does not view this as a threat, but as recognition. He famously says, “Make locals go global,” and that remains his unwavering answer to every tariff, every pressure tactic, and every challenge. Modi’s economic model connects entrepreneurship with nation-building. His vision is not just about growth—it is about inclusive economic independence rooted in India's civilizational ethos. Like during COVID-19 and the global recession, Modi is responding to this challenge not with fear, but with courage, foresight, and a roadmap to self-reliance.