American economist Richard Wolff has criticised Washington’s latest trade move against India, arguing that the United States is only damaging its own interests while giving fresh momentum to the BRICS bloc.
“The United States telling India what to do is like a mouse hitting his fist to an elephant,” Wolff remarked, pointing out that India has now been recognised by the United Nations as the world’s largest country.
What triggered the dispute?
From Wednesday, 50 percent tariffs came into force on a wide range of Indian goods, effectively doubling the previous duty. Former US President Donald Trump introduced the measure in a bid to penalise New Delhi for continuing to buy Russian oil, a critical revenue source for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Trump, who has consistently pressured India over its energy dealings, described the policy as part of his wider campaign to end the conflict.
Will India simply look elsewhere?
Speaking in an interview with Russia Today, Wolff predicted that India would quickly redirect its exports if the American market was closed.
He explained, “But like Russia found another place to buy its, to sell its energy, India will sell its exports no longer to the United States, but to the rest of the BRICS.”
The BRICS grouping currently includes ten members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The bloc seeks to counterbalance Western financial power and is exploring mechanisms to reduce reliance on the US dollar.
How strong is BRICS compared to the West?
Wolff underlined the economic weight of the bloc in his comments. “If you take China, India, Russia and the BRICS, the total share of world output those countries produce is 35 percent. The G7 is down to about 28 percent,” he said during the podcast.
Could US tariffs backfire?
According to Wolff, Trump’s strategy risks speeding up BRICS integration.
He argued, “And what you’re doing is your hothouse fashion, developing the BRICS to be an ever larger, more integrated and successful economic alternative to the West. We are watching a historic moment.”
How has Trump responded to BRICS?
Despite the bloc’s growing presence, Trump has repeatedly dismissed it, calling BRICS a “little group” that is “fading out fast”.
In February, he even declared “BRICS is dead” and warned that if the members pursued a common currency, he would consider 100 per cent tariffs.
“They can go find another sucker Nation,” he said.
Why is India different?
Wolff reminded that India has historically maintained a complex relationship with both Washington and Moscow. “India has a long standing relationship with the US since the Soviet era,” he said, cautioning, “You are playing with a very different adversary.”
He concluded with a sharp remark on American policy: “But for those with some humour, it will be the spectacle of the United States acting like it’s the world’s tough guy, as what it actually does is shoot itself in the foot.”
New Delhi has strongly criticised Washington’s move, describing the tariff hike as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”
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