Ex-US official criticizes Trump admin for upsetting allies in trade talks with India

Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo criticized the Trump administration, especially its actions against India, calling them a “big mistake” amid ongoing trade talks. She made these comments after President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India, including penalties for its oil trade with Russia. Raimondo accused Trump of alienating allies and warned that the U.S. risks appearing weak if it fails to maintain strong relationships with other nations.

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Gina Raimondo criticized the Trump administration for alienating U.S. allies, warning that “America Alone” is a disastrous policy. She emphasized the importance of strong ties with Europe and Southeast Asia and highlighted opportunities with countries like Japan and South Korea. Raimondo also called the U.S.’s approach to India a “big mistake.” Her comments followed Trump’s claims that India would end its oil trade with Russia and the U.S. blacklisting two Russian energy firms to pressure Putin amid the war in Ukraine.

Lutnick Defends Tariffs Goyal Rejects Pressure

The U.S. has sanctioned four major Russian oil producers, including Rosneft and Lukoil, which account for nearly 70% of Russia’s oil exports and over 80% of India’s Russian oil imports in 2024. Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo had met with Indian Minister Piyush Goyal last year to discuss bilateral cooperation. After Trump’s second term began, Howard Lutnick replaced Raimondo and defended the 50% tariffs on India, linking a trade deal to halting oil imports from Russia. Goyal, however, stressed that India would not be pressured into a deal, saying, “We don’t do deals under pressure.”

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