Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has sharply rebuked US President Donald Trump for his recent remarks and trade actions targeting India, labelling Trump as a “schoolyard bully” and warning that the United States had “picked the wrong target” for such provocative language and economic aggression. In the wake of Trump’s “dead economy” barb and the imposition of a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods, Tharoor argued forcefully that India’s self-respect is sacrosanct and “simply not up for bargaining”.
During interviews with India Today and NDTV, Tharoor criticised Trump’s tendency to use belittling and transactional tactics to force negotiations, highlighting that India is not a nation to be affronted or undermined. He maintained, “Whoever is in the Indian government, whichever party is in power, our self-respect is not negotiable. Trump’s language is like a schoolyard bully trying to humiliate the other child. But India will stand firm”.
Tharoor further emphasised the profound impact of the new tariffs, noting that they would severely disrupt India’s export competitiveness, particularly in vital sectors like textiles, marine, and leather goods. He insisted that agriculture, which sustains 700 million Indians, is a red line—rejecting any possibility of compromising farmers by allowing subsidised American grains to flood Indian markets.
Accusing Trump of double standards, Tharoor pointed to the US’s own substantial imports from Russia while blaming India for purchasing Russian oil. He called for rational negotiations, urging Indian leaders to keep a cool head, define clear non-negotiables, and maintain national interests during impending trade talks.
Recognising the fallout from deteriorating US-India relations, Tharoor highlighted the need for India to diversify export markets and forge new trade partnerships, particularly given the uncertain future of economic cooperation with Washington. He concluded by affirming that no foreign leader has the right to dictate terms to India—a country that has long outgrown colonial subordination.
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