Russia Says US Tariffs Fail to Deter India China Trade Moves

Russia’s top diplomat has challenged the effectiveness of United States tariffs against India and China, arguing that these measures have not altered the strategic course of either country.

The remarks reflect sharpening global debates around trade policy and the repositioning of major economies in an age of shifting alliances.

Moscow’s criticism targets the US strategy of imposing steep tariffs to redirect trade and energy flows, particularly as tensions have risen over India and China’s economic ties to Russia.

Official comments underscore a changing global order where major nations pursue independent paths.

What Does Lavrov Say About US Tariff Tactics?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized that US threats or ultimatums on tariffs have not moved India or China from their intended trade or diplomatic course.

Instead, he stressed in a Channel 1 interview that both nations' long histories and traditions shape their responses.

According to Lavrov, Washington is slowly recognizing that pressure and penalties do not motivate large, sovereign economies.

He argued that this approach, especially when applied to “ancient civilizations,” fails in the face of deep national resilience.

Lavrov also pointed to a new awareness in the US of the limits of its leverage, noting a recent shift in rhetoric from outright threats to more diplomatic engagement.

Did you know?
India maintained the world’s fastest-growing major economy status despite multiple rounds of US tariffs in the 2010s and 2020s.

How Are India and China Responding to Tariff Pressure?

Both Delhi and Beijing have maintained strong positions in the face of heightened US tariffs. India continues to buy Russian oil and develop alternative trading channels, while China’s broad industrial base has softened much of the intended blow.

Leaders of both countries have framed US measures as harmful but not decisive for their long-term strategies.

Direct US pressure has made both India and China more determined to pursue markets and energy supplies that suit national goals.

Officials in both countries reference their civilizational heritages and speak openly about the need for sovereignty, a position that resonates broadly at home and with other emerging states.

ALSO READ | How Did China Boost R&D Spending to $507 Billion in 2024?

Are There Signs of a US-India Trade Thaw?

Despite the tariff standoff, recent discussions suggest a potential warming of US-India trade ties. India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran recently expressed hope that severe tariffs could be lowered after November, with discussions pointing to possible reductions on both sides.

Both Indian and American officials described recent trade talks as positive and constructive.

The softening rhetoric and proposal for phased tariff reductions indicate that diplomacy may yet counteract the most disruptive consequences of the tariff war.

Commentators note that progress in these discussions could set the tone for wider, less confrontational relations between Washington and Delhi in 2026.

ALSO READ | What’s behind the 13.8% drop in Japanese exports to the US?

How Do Ongoing Sanctions Shape Global Diplomacy?

New rounds of sanctions remain on the table as the diplomatic chessboard shifts. Lavrov dismissed American sanctions as largely symbolic, saying they have failed to change Russian policies while only complicating economic realities in third-party countries like India.

He noted that since Trump’s first term, Washington has relied increasingly on financial restrictions.

Sanctions have forced countries like India to diversify energy sources and reconsider supply chains. At the same time, they have introduced volatility in global prices and made long-term planning more difficult for many economies dependent on cross-border flows.

What Are the Forward Risks and Opportunities?

Both the direct targets of tariffs and sanctions and the larger global community face significant risks in the current environment. Emerging alliances among non-Western states suggest that unilateral US pressure may become less potent over time.

Many analysts expect further innovation in trade mechanisms and more robust South-South cooperation as a result.

America will closely monitor the development of trade and diplomatic ties between these world powers as it makes future decisions.

Forward-looking policymakers aim to pivot from short-term escalation to systemic adjustments for a more balanced global economic system.

Future negotiations will test whether flexibility in US policy could open new windows for engagement or whether entrenched positions will deepen current divides. The world awaits further moves in a landscape where resilience, negotiation, and adaptation define success.