New White House tariff policy on India “foolish”, bad for bilateral ties: Scott Horton

Noted American author, political commentator, war expert and accomplished podcaster Scott Horton says that the Trump administration’s new tariff policy — particularly the one targeting countries like India, on which the US has imposed steep import tariffs in retaliation for purchasing Russian oil — is counterproductive and unacceptable.

Forty-nine-year-old Horton, director of the Libertarian Institute and host of The Scott Horton Show, tells Open that, as free traders and non-interventionists, the Libertarian Institute opposes the White House’s new tariff policy. According to the best-selling author and entrepreneur, it is “meant to punish India for their role in BRICS and for refusing to boycott Russia over the war in Ukraine.”

Horton and his colleagues have long been outspoken critics of American foreign policy and the NATO-led military expansion. In line with that philosophy of exposing US military interventions across the globe, Horton has authored acclaimed works including Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan; Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism; and Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine.

As an author and activist, Horton, who is the editorial director of the non-interventionist news portal Antiwar.com, has consistently called out US and NATO military engagements and their infamous regime change operations.

Based in Austin, Texas, Horton, whose work has repeatedly illuminated untold stories of wars across the world, told Open that President Donald Trump’s decision to impose additional tariffs on India is “a foolish move, which could backfire and lead to a deterioration of our countries’ relationship, rather than its improvement.”

New Delhi, for its part, has stated that its oil imports are based on market considerations and undertaken with the overarching objective of ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens. In a statement on August 6, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”

According to the latest announcement by the US, American tariffs on Indian imports will now attract duties of up to 50 per cent.

In its latest executive order, the Trump administration stated that “the President found that India is currently importing Russian Federation oil.”

“Accordingly, to address the national emergency stemming from the Government of the Russian Federation’s actions taken against Ukraine, he is imposing an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, effective August 27, due to India’s direct or indirect importation of Russian Federation oil,” the order said.

It further noted that this new tariff regime was in addition to any other duties, fees, taxes, exactions, and charges applicable to such imports—unless subject to existing or future actions under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The order also stated that the tariff would be in addition to any levies applicable under “Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended,” but that the additional 25 per cent tariff would not apply to articles set forth in Annex II to that Executive Order.

American officials have argued that the Russian Federation’s actions in Ukraine pose an ongoing threat to the United States’ national security and foreign policy, “necessitating stronger measures to address the national emergency.”

“India’s importation of Russian Federation oil undermines US efforts to counter Russia’s harmful activities,” the executive order claimed. Trump also asserted that India was not only purchasing massive quantities of Russian oil but was also reselling it on the open market for “big profits.” New Delhi had hit back, saying that the West is engaging in double standards as it continues to import key materials from Russia, including uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for electric vehicles as well as fertilisers and chemicals.

A regular on various talk shows and known for his forceful pronouncements, Horton has maintained that the US should end its involvement in the Russia–Ukraine war. He has also criticised the American ruling class for provoking the Russian invasion through nefarious activities, including regime change operations and arms sales.

As for the new White House tariff policy on India, Horton remarks with a tinge of humour about Trump’s unpredictable ways: “The good news is the president could change his mind tomorrow.”

Donald TrumpIndia-US bilateral relationsScott HortonUS tariff policy