Trump Criticizes India-Russia Trade Relations, Terms Their Economies as 'Dead'

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump issued a provocative statement criticizing the burgeoning trade and defense relationship between India and Russia, describing the economies of both nations as "dead" and suggesting their bilateral activities hold no significance for the United States.

Expressing his views on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” He further condemned the high tariff barriers imposed by India, noting, “We have done very little business with India, their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world.”

These comments from the US President came after he announced a 25% tariff on imports from India, a move designed to exert pressure on New Delhi regarding its defense and energy partnerships with Moscow. This decision represents a notable increase in trade tensions between the US and India.

Trump also criticized Russia, emphasizing that economic relations between the US and Russia remain minimal, and expressed a desire to maintain that status quo. He criticized Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian President and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, suggesting Medvedev is deluded about his current role. "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!” Trump exclaimed.

The combative remarks have been met with criticism from diplomatic circles, with analysts cautioning that such statements could complicate the United States' relations with two of the world's major geopolitical actors. India has not yet issued an official response to Trump's comments.