Trump’s 50% Tariff Sparks Tension: Nikki Haley Calls for Stronger US-India Partnership

 

Nikki Haley Urges India to Rethink Russian Oil Ties Amid Trump’s Tariff Push

Former US ambassador to the UN and Republican leader Nikki Haley has called on India to take President Donald Trump’s concerns over Russian oil purchases “seriously,” stressing that Washington and New Delhi must work together to find a solution sooner rather than later.

Highlighting the long-standing bond between the world’s two largest democracies, Haley said this goodwill should serve as a strong foundation to navigate the turbulence in bilateral ties. “Decades of friendship and goodwill between the US and India provide a solid basis to move past the current challenges,” she said in a post on X.

Haley also tied the issue to the bigger geopolitical picture, noting that a strong partnership with India is crucial for America as it faces China. “Trade disagreements and Russian oil imports demand tough dialogue, but we cannot lose sight of what truly matters—our shared goals. To confront China, the United States must have India as a trusted partner,” she added.

This isn’t the first time Haley has pushed for closer ties. In an earlier op-ed co-written for Newsweek, she argued that India should be treated as a “prized free and democratic partner,” unlike China, which continues to buy Russian oil without facing US sanctions. She also pointed out India’s unique potential to help Washington reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains, especially in sectors like textiles, affordable smartphones, and solar panels.

On the Indian side, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has hit back strongly at Washington’s tariff policy. Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar called the US tariff “unjustified and unreasonable,” stressing that it was being wrongly framed as an oil issue. He emphasized that India has clear red lines and will not compromise on protecting its farmers and small producers.

Despite these frictions, Jaishankar noted that trade talks with Washington are still ongoing. “We are two big countries, conversations must continue. The lines are not cut, people are still talking, and we’ll see where it goes,” he said.

The strain in ties comes as Trump ramps up pressure with record tariffs. The US has already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian products, with another 25% set to take effect on August 27—this time linked to India’s energy imports from Russia. Together, the 50% tariff makes India the hardest-hit country under Trump’s trade policy.

Jaishankar also commented on Trump’s unorthodox style of diplomacy, noting that no US President has ever conducted foreign policy so publicly. “The application of tariffs in this manner, even outside of trade issues, is novel,” he said.