"And this revival has had an enormously significant geopolitical impact and good bilateral impact as well,”
US Tariffs Impacts on India China Relationship, Latest News: Former MoS for External Affairs, MJ Akbar said that the ongoing US tariffs has revived a cooling relationship India and China.
The additional tariff of 25% imposed by the United States of America on India for purchasing oil from Russia, came into effect starting 9:30 am on Wednesday (27 August 2025), bringing the total tariffs imposed on India to 50%.
Former MoS for External Affairs, MJ Akbar called US insecure with China and called out for its double standard.
He said the additional tariff will have some ‘disruption on those specific items, but the to our international trade is ‘certainly not a significant’.
“This is not a very large amount in terms of India's total international trade. And in any case, I think more important is the fact that the logic of the American argument for these tariffs has collapsed under the glare of facts and truth.”
“Is it being done because we buy oil from Russia? Germany has been buying oil from Russia throughout the war. Why are there no 50 % tariffs on Germany? China buys more gas and energy from Russia than we do. Why is President Trump uncertain and seems even insecure with China?”
He then went on to say that tariffs has led to India and China ‘cooling relationship’.
“Well, one of the consequences of tariff turbulence is that India and China have revived a cooling relationship. And this revival has had an enormously significant geopolitical impact and good bilateral impact as well,” he added.
Due to higher tariffs, India’s products might become less competitive in US markets and some of the worst affected sectors under the current US tariffs are Shrimps, Gems and Jewellery, Textiles and Apparel, Carpets, Handicrafts, Leather and Footwear, Agriculture and Processed Food, according to a report by NDTV.
The report added that Around 30.2 per cent of India's exports will continue to enter the US market duty-free.
US president Donald Trump on August 6, 2025, signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, as a penalty for importing oil from Russia. Earlier, on July31, Trump had approved the first 25% tariff on imports from India.
(For more news apart from 'US Tariffs Leads To India China Reviving Cooling Relationship: Former Mos For External Affairs,' stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
