Former Australian PM Tony Abbott Criticizes Trump's 50% Tariffs on Indian Exports at NDTV World Summit

Trump has imposed an extensive 50 per cent tariff on numerous Indian export products.

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott criticized US President Donald Trump for mishandling relations with India by implementing substantial tariffs. During his address at the NDTV World Summit, Abbott questioned the strengthening relationship between Washington and Islamabad, emphasizing that America's essential interests are better served through robust friendship with India rather than Pakistan.

"While I support President Trump, I believe he erred in his approach to India with the recent imposition of punitive tariffs, particularly considering that other nations engaging in unfair practices, especially China, did not receive similar treatment," he stated.

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Abbott remarked that one significant error America committed during the Cold War era was "consistently favoring Pakistan, a military dictatorship, over India, a liberal democracy."

The former Australian leader noted that for the past two decades, American diplomacy has "very wisely been attempting to correct that imbalance."

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"I consider these tariffs a significant setback. However, given the fundamental shared interests and values between India and democratic nations, I believe this will merely be a temporary obstacle, though I hope for a swift resolution," he added.

Trump has implemented a comprehensive 50 per cent tariff affecting a wide range of Indian exports. These tariffs – among the most severe globally – include a 25 per cent penalty for transactions with Russia that provide critical funding for its Ukraine conflict.

Criticizing the Trump administration's increasing ties with Shehbaz Sharif's government in Pakistan, Abbott remarked, "America's fundamental interests are better aligned with a strong friendship with India rather than Pakistan. Similarly, India's essential interests lie in strong partnerships with fellow democracies rather than authoritarian regimes."

He further stated, "Pakistan's cooperation with the US on terrorism was such that they provided Bin Laden sanctuary for nearly a decade. While Pakistan has good citizens, it remains fundamentally a military-dominated society with significant Islamist influence. India is entirely different. I'm not suggesting the US should avoid working with Pakistan where possible, but it needs to recognize its more reliable allies."