Trump labels ties with India a 'one-sided disaster'; claims Delhi 'offered' to cut tariffs to zero, 'but it's getting late'

US President Donald Trump - File Photo

Hours after the conclusion of the SCO Summit, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump lashed out at India over trade, calling the relationship “a totally one-sided disaster.”

In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed that India sells “massive amounts of goods” to America while buying little in return, blaming what he called the “highest tariffs of any country.” Trump also noted that New Delhi sources most of its oil and defense equipment from Russia, not the US, and said India’s recent offer to slash tariffs to zero comes “too late.”

He further claimed that India has now offered to reduce its tariffs to zero, but argued the move was coming late, and that it should have been done years ago.

“They have now offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago. Just some simple facts for people to ponder!!!” he said.

The US President noted that India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia and very little from the US.

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The sharp rhetoric by Trump come as PM Modi held bilateral talks with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in China's Tianjin on Monday.

Xi Jinping welcomed PM Modi and Putin warmly at the SCO Summit, where Modi held separate talks with both leaders. Their gestures of camaraderie -- handshakes, a hug, and a close discussion -- stood out as the highlight of the meeting. This comes as Donald Trump’s trade war with allies and rivals fuels debate about a shifting world order.

On July 31, the US announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. A week later, on August 6, Trump signed an executive order imposing another 25 per cent tariff on India, accusing it of importing Russian oil and helping to fuel the Kremlin’s “war machine.”

Since then, the Trump administration has been hitting out at India, accusing it of funding what Russia's war against Ukraine.

India has called the tariffs imposed by the US “unjustified and unreasonable”.

New Delhi said that, like any major economy, it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.

Prime Minister Modi has asserted he can't compromise on the interests of farmers, cattle-rearers, small-scale industries, cautioning "pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it".

Vinay Kumar, Indian ambassador to Russia, told Russia’s TASS news agency: “Indian companies will continue buying (oil) from wherever they get the best deal.”

While Trump paints India as a supporter of the Russian war machine, a closer look at US trade data reveals that Washington continues to quietly do business with Moscow, even in strategic sectors. India has now pushed back forcefully, exposing the double standards.

In 2024, US–Russia trade was worth $3.5 billion, down from $15 billion in 2022. That year, the US imported $3 billion worth of goods from Russia and exported $526.1 million. By May 2025, imports had already reached $2.1 billion, while exports stood at just $232 million, creating a trade deficit of $1.86 billion.

The US continues to buy key items from Russia, including enriched uranium ($596 million), palladium ($502 million), fertilizers, chemicals, wood, and machinery. These imports are crucial for national security and industrial needs.