Shashi Tharoor Blames Trump’s Tariffs For Indian Job Losses, Criticises Diplomatic Conduct

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 05:46 IST

Tharoor slammed Trump’s undiplomatic style, saying it eroded the 'mutual respect' that traditionally underpinned India-US relations

Tharoor claimed that Trump’s 'America First' economic agenda, particularly his aggressive tariff hikes on imports, disrupted global supply chains and adversely affected export-driven sectors in India, including automotive components, textiles, and information technology services. File pic/PTI

Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, blaming them for contributing to job losses in India and accusing Trump of disregarding international diplomatic norms during his tenure.

Speaking at a policy discussion on global trade and diplomacy, Tharoor claimed that Trump’s “America First" economic agenda, particularly his aggressive tariff hikes on imports, disrupted global supply chains and adversely affected export-driven sectors in India, including automotive components, textiles, and information technology services.

“Trump’s protectionist stance led to a contraction in opportunities for Indian businesses," said Tharoor. “By imposing higher tariffs on key imports and targeting outsourcing, his administration contributed to significant job losses in India’s export-dependent sectors. His policies ignored decades of established diplomatic engagement between the two democracies."

During Trump’s presidency, the US has imposed higher import duties on steel and aluminium, affecting Indian manufacturers. In retaliation, India raised tariffs on a range of US products. The trade dispute escalated when Trump revoked India’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status in 2019, a move that ended duty-free access to the US market for nearly $6 billion worth of Indian exports—impacting small and medium-sized enterprises across India.

Tharoor, a former Under-Secretary-General at the United Nations and a noted foreign policy commentator, also criticised Trump’s undiplomatic style, saying it eroded the “mutual respect" that traditionally underpinned India-US relations.

“Diplomacy is not about bluster and tweets," Tharoor remarked. “It’s about cultivating long-term relationships based on trust and shared values. Trump upended that balance."

While India-US trade reached $146 billion in 2019 and continues to grow, many analysts agree that policy uncertainty under the Trump administration has added friction to what was once seen as a steadily deepening strategic partnership.

Tharoor’s remarks underscore broader concerns in India’s policy circles about the direction of US foreign policy under Trump—especially as India looks to balance its global trade relationships while navigating a shifting geopolitical landscape.

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