On July 30, Trump delivered a heavy blow to New Delhi: the U.S. suddenly announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, effective August 1! This is no ordinary trade friction—it's like choking India to force it to comply. CCTV reported that Trump's anger was directly aimed at India's high tariffs and procurement of Russian military equipment, but everyone can see clearly: this is a warning shot, with India becoming the target for America to assert its authority.
India's domestic situation exploded instantly. The president of the Congress Party, Harpal Singh, tore off Modi's "friendship mask" on X: "Your ministers have been negotiating trade in Washington for months, and this is the reward from Trump 'friends'?" Expert Swami Srivastava from a think tank was even more incisive: "This is not an ordinary tariff, it's an economic noose!" Data shows that India's exports to the U.S. could plummet by 30%, with $86.5 billion evaporating to $60.6 billion. The oil, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries are all wailing. This time, the Modi government has truly been stabbed in the heart by a "friend."
India has long been viewed by the West as an "Asian star," a pawn to counter China's rise. But now this "star" has become a shooting star. This year's "May 7 Air Battle" completely stripped away the disguise: India's Rafale was beaten by Pakistan's J-10, and the 2020 India-China border conflict further humiliated the Indian army. How sharp is Trump? Seeing that India cannot even handle its "ally" Pakistan, the so-called "balance against China" has become an international joke. The Modi once hailed as a "democratic beacon" is now facing widespread protests from farmers domestically and being hit hard by the tariff stick abroad—what a transformation from a "god" to a "plague"!
Trump's logic is simple: might makes right, attitude doesn't matter. He imposes a 15% tariff on Japan, 20% on Vietnam, but gives India a sky-high 25%. Why? Because in New Delhi's negotiation table, India can't even show its cards. The U.S. demands opening up the agricultural market, but 40% of India's population relies on land for survival; would Modi dare to agree? Commerce Minister Goel loudly claims to "defend interests," but everyone knows clearly: facing Trump's trade sword, India can't even find a decent knife.
As for China, Trump dares not act recklessly. The hard power of the world's factory is there, while India? The data from the think tank is brutal: $25.9 billion in exports will be wiped out. Opposition leader Awadhi spoke sharply: "Trump is bullying India like a clown!" But no matter how loud the criticism, it can't cover the harsh reality—without the J-20 military industry, without Huawei's technology, what does India have to challenge the U.S.?
Trump's 25% tariff is like a slap, waking up India's "ace" dream. Modi's "friendship diplomacy" has completely collapsed, and the "Asian tiger" promoted by the West has revealed its true colors. When the U.S. no longer even bothers to maintain the facade, India finally realizes: the international stage doesn't believe in tears, only in fists. Now, all that remains for New Delhi is one choice: to continue kneeling as a "cash machine," or to grit teeth and develop real skills? After all, a country that can't even beat Pakistan has no right to sit at the big power table!
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7533989579490214415/
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