"Trump's tariffs an exercise in power but will weaken America" MJ Akbar slams US Tariffs

Aug 28, 2025

Description: Mapusa (Goa), August 28, 2025 (ANI): Former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar on Wednesday criticised US President Donald Trump's tariff policy, calling it "an exercise in power" that will in the short run "weaken America". "Trump's tariffs seem at the moment an exercise in power, but in the very short run, they will weaken America. They will weaken America because this is a policy of overkill. This is also a policy that shows that President Trump does not believe in friends. He believes in dependence. Prime Minister Modi has effectively challenged the economic imperialism of America. President Trump does not understand, I think, that while actions have consequences, language also hurts, language disrupts. The language that he has used in international diplomacy is not acceptable to the world. Prime Minister Modi has shown that he is not going to run to Washington to pay a flattery tax..." Akbar said. Speaking on the 50 per cent tariff imposed by the United States on Indian goods, Akbar questioned the reasoning behind the move, saying, "Is it being done because we buy oil from Russia? Germany has been buying oil from Russia throughout the war. Why are there no 50% tariffs on Germany? China buys more gas and energy from Russia than we do. Why is President Trump uncertain and seems even insecure with China? ... Well, one of the consequences of tariff turbulence is that India and China have revived a cooling relationship. And this revival has had an enormously significant geopolitical impact and good bilateral impact as well..."