Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton took a fresh swipe at President Donald Trump on Friday — accusing him of making ‘unforced errors’ while negotiating tariffs with India. The remarks came days after he dubbed the recently imposed 50% tariff against New Delhi a “mistake in the bilateral relationship” and a ‘backward’ decision. Trump has repeatedly insisted that India was helping Moscow prolong its war in Ukraine — with several leading members of his government issuing warnings in recent days.
“When Trump slapped tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, but not China which also purchases Russia oil, it may have pushed India further into the Beijing-Moscow axis. This lack of focus by the Trump Admin is an unforced error…India has reacted very strongly against Trump’s decision to impose tariffs for purchasing Russian oil and gas, potentially driving India closer to Russia, contrary to US national interests. This unforced US error shows the Administration’s lack of strategic thinking and priorities,” Bolton wrote on X.
50% tariffs against India
US President Donald Trump had imposed a 25% levy against Indian imports at the beginning of August — vowing to add an additional 25% later this month for its continued purchase of Russian oil. India is now one of the two highest-tariffed nations on the list alongside Brazil. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also warned on Wednesday that sanctions or secondary tariffs “could go up” if talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin did not go well.
According to data by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air for June 2025, China has bought 47% of Russia’s crude exports, followed by India (38%), the EU (6%), and Turkiye (6%). CERA is an independent research organisation registered as a nonprofit in Finland. Despite a turbulent trade war with the US earlier this year, China has not faced any specific sanctions for its continued purchase of Russian oil.
Trump had teased the possibility during a news conference in the White House earlier this month — insisting that his government was “probably doing it with a couple of others” without any specifics. He signed an executive order days after this assertion to extend the tariff deadline for China by 90 days without any changes.
The quest for a Nobel Peace Prize
The former Trump aide had also taken a swipe at him earlier this week — suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could perhaps find a way to “nominate the President twice for a Nobel peace prize”.
The POTUS has mounted a vehement campaign to secure the award in recent weeks — garnering nominations from Pakistan and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The White House has also spoken about the possibility during press briefings with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisting earlier this month that it was “well past time” for the Nobel committee to listen.
The President has brokered, on average, about one peace deal or ceasefire per month during his six months in office. It’s well past time that President Trump was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize,” she said.