Former MoS MJ Akbar mocks Trump’s tariff move on India, saying the next step might be imposing tariffs on America itself for importing Russian uranium for its nuclear industry.
Waiting for Trump to Tariff the US Over Russian Uranium: MJ Akbar
Former Union minister MJ Akbar on Thursday sharply criticised US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over India’s oil trade with Russia.
Calling the move hypocritical, Akbar said, “Next we should be waiting for President Trump to impose tariffs on America—for buying uranium from Russia for its own nuclear industry.”
Advertisement
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the situation, Akbar said Modi is responding with “serious foresight, great maturity and powerful silence,” rooted in India’s ‘Swadeshi’ foreign policy that prioritises national security and the well-being of its citizens.
Advertisement
He added that the US risks losing a key element of diplomacy—trust—by being harsher on allies like India than adversaries like China.
#WATCH | Delhi | “… Next we should be waiting for President Trump to impose tariffs on America…” says Former MoS for External Affairs, MJ Akbar on the imposition of an additional 25% tariff by US President Donald Trump on India for purchasing Russian oil
He says, “The Prime… pic.x.com/IzJ5EXECv2
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2025
Commenting on the state of India-China relations, the former Minister of State for External Affairs said the differences between the two nations will eventually be resolved, possibly through a “non-solution” approach.
He suggested that shifting global dynamics and evolving economic partnerships may lead to indirect benefits for both sides, stating, “There will be collateral benefits as the rest of the world changes and creates new economic equations with each other.”
Earlier today, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also criticized the move suggesting that India should not hold back and must impose a matching 50 per cent tariff on American exports in retaliation.
“India must stand its ground. If Trump wants to play tough, we should respond in kind,” he said, calling for a strong and proportionate trade response.
Modi on Thursday strongly responded after Trump imposed addition 25% tariff on Indian exports. PM Modi said India will not compromise on the welfare of its farmers, fishermen, and dairy producers, in response to Trump’s decision to slap an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports.
Addressing the M S Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in Delhi, Modi declared that safeguarding the interests of India’s agricultural community remains the government’s top priority. “Even if it comes at a political cost, I’m ready to bear it. India will continue to stand resolutely with its farmers, fishermen, and dairy sector,” he asserted.
Trump’s latest tariff announcement on Wednesday delivered a significant blow to India’s trade prospects. The newly imposed 25% duty—effective August 27—comes just a week after a similar hike, further intensifying the trade rift between Washington and New Delhi.
Advertisement
