Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, United States President Donald Trump sharpened his rhetoric on India. Mr. Trump, already under criticism for slapping steep import duties, defended the 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, calling India a “tariff abuser” and accusing Delhi of maintaining a “one-sided relationship” with Washington.

The American President again flagged India’s continued imports of Russian oil and defence equipment as justification for the duties. He insisted that India’s trade concessions, if offered now, were “too late”, while reiterating that US businesses struggle to access Indian markets, particularly in agriculture and dairy. “They do massive business with us… we sell them very little,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.

His comments came in sharp contrast to images of camaraderie emerging from Tianjin, where Mr. Modi, Mr. Xi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged smiles and handshakes. Analysts believe this signals a united front within the SCO against US tariffs. Notably, Mr. Modi’s visit marked his first to China in seven years, highlighting improving ties amid Washington’s aggressive trade stance.

Beijing and New Delhi have already begun exploring ways to soften the blow of American levies, including lowering export barriers for each other. Both nations represent vast consumer markets, and cooperation could significantly reduce dependency on US trade channels.

India, meanwhile, has called the US tariffs “unjustified and unfair”. Officials have defended the purchase of discounted Russian crude, pointing to continued Western imports from Moscow. The government has also assured exporters of support, including aid packages and new market access through negotiations with 40 countries.

With $48 billion worth of Indian goods affected, the tariff dispute has become a major flashpoint in global trade politics.

Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, United States President Donald Trump sharpened his rhetoric on India. Mr. Trump, already under criticism for slapping steep import duties, defended the 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, calling India a “tariff abuser” and accusing Delhi of maintaining a “one-sided relationship” with Washington.

The American President again flagged India’s continued imports of Russian oil and defence equipment as justification for the duties. He insisted that India’s trade concessions, if offered now, were “too late”, while reiterating that US businesses struggle to access Indian markets, particularly in agriculture and dairy. “They do massive business with us… we sell them very little,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.

His comments came in sharp contrast to images of camaraderie emerging from Tianjin, where Mr. Modi, Mr. Xi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged smiles and handshakes. Analysts believe this signals a united front within the SCO against US tariffs. Notably, Mr. Modi’s visit marked his first to China in seven years, highlighting improving ties amid Washington’s aggressive trade stance.

Beijing and New Delhi have already begun exploring ways to soften the blow of American levies, including lowering export barriers for each other. Both nations represent vast consumer markets, and cooperation could significantly reduce dependency on US trade channels.

India, meanwhile, has called the US tariffs “unjustified and unfair”. Officials have defended the purchase of discounted Russian crude, pointing to continued Western imports from Moscow. The government has also assured exporters of support, including aid packages and new market access through negotiations with 40 countries.

With $48 billion worth of Indian goods affected, the tariff dispute has become a major flashpoint in global trade politics.