Shift in U.S. Tone as China, Russia, and India Present a United Front
Just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an offer from India to reduce tariffs to zero, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant expressed confidence that Washington and New Delhi can resolve the current tensions between them.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Downplays Modi’s SCO Meetings, But Expresses Confidence in Resolving India-U.S. Trade Disputes
Just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that India had offered to eliminate tariffs, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant expressed optimism that the ongoing trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi could be resolved. Speaking to Fox News at Martin’s Tavern in Washington, Besant said, “These are two great nations — we’ll work it out.”
However, he downplayed the significance of the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held key meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. When asked about Modi’s interaction with Putin and Xi, Besant dismissed the importance of the event, saying, “It’s a longstanding meeting called the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. I think it’s largely ceremonial.”
Trump Ally Calls SCO ‘Functional’, Criticizes India’s Russia Ties
Despite his hopeful tone on trade ties, Besant criticized India’s continued import of Russian oil, warning that it could potentially fuel Moscow’s war in Ukraine. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, he said, “India is not playing fair when it comes to financing Russia’s war machine by buying and reselling discounted Russian oil.”
He added, “Yes, it’s a functional meeting. But in the end, India is the world’s most populous democracy. Their values are far closer to ours than to Russia’s or China’s.” Besant also said that while both India and China are indirectly supporting Russia’s war effort, there would come a time when the U.S. and its allies must step up.
Speaking about the broader U.S.-India relationship, he emphasized that the foundation remains strong and underscored the two democracies’ ability to manage their differences. “Two great nations will solve it,” he repeated.
Criticism Over Russian Oil Trade Amid Rising Tariffs
Despite his diplomatic tone, Besant did not hold back on criticizing India’s energy trade with Russia. He argued that New Delhi’s strategy of importing cheap Russian crude and reselling refined products effectively helps finance the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
He explained that the slow progress in trade negotiations was a major reason behind Washington’s decision to impose tariffs on Indian goods. Recently, the U.S. levied a 25% tariff on several Indian exports, citing the growing trade imbalance. After India rejected Washington’s calls to reduce oil trade with Russia, an additional 25% tariff was added, raising total duties to 50%.
Trump: Trade With India a “One-Sided Disaster”
Earlier, Donald Trump had labeled trade with India a “completely one-sided disaster,” blaming high Indian tariffs for restricting U.S. exports. He wrote:
“They sell us massive amounts of goods — we’re their biggest customer — but we sell them very little. It’s been completely one-sided for decades. The reason? India has imposed some of the highest tariffs on us of any country in the world, making it nearly impossible for American businesses to compete in India.”
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