Beijing/New Delhi, August 8, 2025 — The Chinese Ambassador to India has sharply criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods, calling the move “a bully’s tactic” and urging nations to stand together against “unilateral economic coercion.”
Speaking at a trade and diplomacy forum in New Delhi, the ambassador remarked, “Give the bully what he wants today, and tomorrow he will want more. Tariffs of this scale are not about fairness; they are about domination.”
Trump, during a campaign rally earlier this week, vowed to impose sweeping tariffs of up to 50% on imports from India if he returns to the White House in 2025. He claimed the move would “protect American jobs” and “punish countries” he accused of taking advantage of the U.S. in trade deals.
The Chinese envoy, without naming Trump directly at first, later clarified his statement was aimed squarely at the former president’s policy stance. “If such economic bullying is tolerated, it will set a dangerous precedent for global trade,” he said, adding that nations like India and China have “a shared interest in defending multilateral trade norms.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not officially commented on Trump’s remarks, but senior trade officials privately expressed concerns over the potential impact on sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and IT services.
Experts believe Trump’s proposed tariff plan could strain India-U.S. trade relations, which have grown significantly in recent years. “A 50% tariff would be devastating for several Indian export industries,” said Professor Arvind Mehta, an international trade analyst. “It’s less about economics and more about politics in the run-up to the U.S. elections.”
China, which has faced its own share of tariffs and trade disputes with the U.S. during Trump’s presidency, appears keen on forging closer trade ties with India. The ambassador concluded his address by calling for “regional solidarity” and warning that “economic intimidation anywhere is a threat to stability everywhere.”
With Trump doubling down on his tough trade rhetoric and India weighing its diplomatic options, the coming months could see heightened tensions not just between Washington and New Delhi, but across the broader Asian trade landscape.