India spared, China the new villain in Trump’s latest tariff target.
After months of unfairly targeting India as Moscow’s war enabler, Donald Trump has found a new bigger villain in Beijing.
Donald Trump has found a new villain.
After months of railing against India for buying Russian oil and hammering New Delhi with punitive tariffs, the US president is now training his guns on China.
In his latest Truth Social post, Trump thundered that Nato nations must “stop buying oil from Russia” and unite to impose “major sanctions” on Moscow – while also calling for devastating 50 per cent to 100 per cent tariffs on Beijing.
While President Donald Trump initially targeted India with tariffs earlier in 2025, his recent rhetoric has shifted its focus to China and its relationship with Russia.
The perception that China is now the primary “villain” in Trump’s latest tariff targets refers to his recent call for major tariffs against Beijing, which follows a period of strained U.S.-India relations.
New tariffs targeting China:
In mid-September 2025, Trump publicly called for NATO nations to impose devastating tariffs of 50 to 100% on China. The move is aimed at pressuring Beijing over its continued purchases of Russian oil.
This demand for new tariffs on China follows several other punitive measures enacted earlier in Trump’s second term:
A “baseline” 10% tariff was applied to goods from most countries in April 2025.
The U.S. imposed a reciprocal tariff on Chinese goods, which increased over several months and reached a minimum rate of 145% by April 2025.
In February 2025, an additional 10% tariff was levied on Chinese goods, reportedly to combat fentanyl and other illicit substances entering the U.S..
Tariffs and strained relations with India
The perception that India has been “spared” relates to a change in the intensity of Trump’s public criticism, not the complete absence of tariffs. Over the course of 2025, the U.S. has imposed significant tariffs on India, prompting New Delhi to explore market diversification and leaving many exporters deeply troubled.
Key developments in U.S.-India trade relations include:
Tariffs over Russian oil: In August 2025, the Trump administration imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports as a penalty for India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
Total tariff increase: This added tariff brought the total punitive duties on Indian goods to 50% for products already subject to other tariffs.
Diplomatic acknowledgment: Trump later admitted that the 50% tariff “caused a rift” with India, with NDTV describing it as a “big deal” that soured ties.
India’s perspective: New Delhi has defended its Russian oil purchases, citing national interest and energy security. It has also stood firm on not opening up its dairy and agricultural sectors, which contributed to stalled trade talks.
Shifting priorities and diplomatic complexities.
The shift in Trump’s public targeting from India to China reflects complex geopolitical and economic considerations:
Pressure on Russia: By focusing his tariff rhetoric on China’s Russian oil purchases, Trump is putting pressure on Russia through a major trading partner.
Chinese retaliation: The recent tariff escalation with China has already resulted in retaliatory measures from Beijing, though talks are ongoing.
Strategic paradox: Some analysts view the tariff pressure on India, a key democratic ally, as a paradoxical move that creates an opening for Beijing to improve its ties with New Delhi.
Unpredictable approach: Observers note that Trump’s approach to trade with both strategic partners and rivals is often driven by a transactional and unpredictable foreign policy.
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