Former National Security Advisor Bolton Criticizes Trump's India Tariffs as Strategic Misstep

Bolton, a staunch conservative, has openly criticized Trump for being "fascinated" by China.

Washington:

John Bolton, former national security advisor who has become an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, has intensified his criticism of US tariffs imposed on India regarding its Russian oil imports. The former US official, who served during Trump's first presidential term, argued that by implementing these punitive measures against India, the US President has failed to see the "bigger strategic picture."

"All Trump wanted to discuss was trade. He completely missed the larger strategic context. I believe he's made the same mistake again by sanctioning India for purchasing Russian oil and gas. He didn't place sanctions on Russia itself. Instead, he sanctioned India. He also didn't sanction China, which purchases significantly more Russian oil and gas than India," Bolton stated during a Monday event.

Bolton, known for his conservative stance, accused Trump of having a "fascination" with China. He claimed that in his second term, the president has surrounded himself with "yes men and yes women" to help achieve his objectives.

"It's crucial to recognize that Trump represents an anomaly in American politics," Bolton remarked. "There has never been anything comparable before, and hopefully there never will be again."

Previously, Bolton had stated that the President's tariff policies had "shredded" decades of Washington's diplomatic efforts to move New Delhi away from its Cold War relationship with Moscow and confront the growing challenge posed by Beijing.

He had also offered advice on the "best approach" for dealing with "someone like Trump." "If you respond to his provocations and engage in public disputes with him, it won't improve the situation," Bolton noted, referring to India's measured response to tariff disagreements during Trump's presidency.

These comments follow the Donald Trump administration's decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on Indian imports – among the highest globally – with 25 percent specifically linked to New Delhi's oil trade with Russia. President Donald Trump has accused India of "fuelling Russia's deadly attacks on Ukraine" through its purchases of discounted crude oil.