IntelScoops

Washington, D.C. – July 31, 2025 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump ignited controversy on Wednesday by referring to India and Russia as “dead economies,” stating that both nations can “take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” His comments came hours after the U.S. government announced a new 25% tariff on a range of Indian imports, escalating tensions between Washington and New Delhi.

Speaking during a campaign event and later reiterating the remarks on social media, Trump criticized India’s ongoing trade and military cooperation with Russia, suggesting that the United States should not continue economic engagement with countries aligning with Moscow amid its war in Ukraine.

“There is very little business we do with India. Almost none with Russia,” Trump said. “They are buying oil and weapons from Russia. Let them go down together. Their economies are failing. It doesn’t matter to us.”

The remarks were met with swift reactions from political analysts and international observers. Many described Trump’s stance as a signal of a possible return to his America-first, confrontational approach to foreign policy, particularly if he regains office in the 2024 election.

India has not yet formally responded to the comments. However, senior trade officials in New Delhi have indicated that the Indian government is reviewing the new tariffs and considering countermeasures. India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and has maintained a complex balancing act between its strategic ties with the West and its historic relationship with Russia.

The newly announced tariffs are expected to impact a range of goods, including pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, and textiles—sectors where India is a major exporter to the U.S. economy. Trade between the two countries has grown significantly in recent years, but tensions have also increased over issues including digital trade rules, agricultural exports, and defense procurement.

Trump’s rhetoric has also drawn criticism domestically, with some lawmakers warning that alienating democratic partners like India could backfire strategically, especially amid growing competition with China. Critics argue that reducing India’s role in global supply chains would harm long-term U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, Russia, already under heavy U.S. and European sanctions, is unlikely to be significantly affected by the remarks but may use them to strengthen its narrative of Western hostility and deepen trade and military cooperation with non-Western partners.

As the U.S. election cycle intensifies, Trump’s statements have reaffirmed his hardline approach to foreign policy, which prioritizes punitive trade measures and nationalistic rhetoric. Whether this strategy yields diplomatic gains or economic fallout remains to be seen.