As President Donald Trump again disparaged U.S.-India trade relations on Tuesday, American media have been considering the larger implications of the rupture for both economic policy and foreign policy.
The Wall Street Journal published an explainer titled: "Trump Hiked Tariffs on India as a Penalty for It Buying Russian Oil. Why Is That Backfiring?"
She claimed that "New Delhi also gave the green light for the purchases to continue, so flows are returning to normal".
"The unintended effect of the US crackdown has therefore been to make Russia’s already discounted oil even cheaper for India. As of Friday, a barrel of Urals costs India $1 less than it did before the White House first threatened the higher tariff,” Ryan added.
In Ryan's opinion, "New Delhi also sanctioned the purchases to continue, so flows are back to normal." She further commented that, inversely, the U.S. action had the opposite effect of its intended pressure campaign: The Megyn Kelly Show” on Tuesday, criticised the White House Senior Advisor Peter Navarro, saying: "If you do the opposite of what Peter Navarro is saying, then you're going to do well.". Through Friday, a barrel of Urals costs India $1 less than prior to the White House initially threatening the higher tariff.
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro took his turn on The Megyn Kelly Show podcast to assail White House Senior Advisor Peter Navarro. "If you do the reverse of whatever Peter Navarro is doing, then you're going to succeed," Shapiro said.
On Washington's imposition of a 50 percent tariff on India, Shapiro contended that the strategy was too heavy on penalties. "The US has been doling out a lot of sticks and insufficient carrots," he complained.
Downplaying India's direct economic significance in trade, Shapiro warned against underestimating its geopolitical significance.
"We do more military exercises with India than we do with NATO. If you see them (India) move into China's camp, then that will upend the geopolitical order," he added.
Adding to the debate, The Economist in its Tuesday edition focused on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and the military parade in China, describing the event as “Xi Jinping’s anti-American party.” The magazine described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the summit as “most striking,” suggesting it underscored “India’s shift from America towards China.”
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