Former US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has sharply criticized the Donald Trump administration for what she described as a “big mistake” in its handling of relations with India amid ongoing trade tensions between the two nations.
Speaking at a policy forum, Raimondo said that the administration’s approach toward its allies — especially India — risks weakening the United States’ global standing.
“On my list of top 20 things that I would be critical of this administration for is pissing off all of our allies. America First is one thing. America Alone is a disastrous policy,” she said.
Tariffs and Tensions: The India-US Trade Rift
Her comments came months after the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on India, with roughly half of them linked to New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Russia.
Raimondo, who served as Commerce Secretary under former President Joe Biden, argued that isolating partners like India sends the wrong message at a time when global cooperation is crucial.
“The United States cannot lead effectively without strong partnerships in Europe, Southeast Asia, and major economies like Japan, South Korea, and India,” she added.
Sanctions and Energy Politics
Raimondo’s criticism comes as the US continues to ramp up sanctions on Russian energy giants, a move aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Over the past year, Washington has sanctioned Rosneft, Lukoil, Surgutneftegas, and Gazprom Neft — companies that collectively account for nearly 70% of Russia’s oil exports.
According to Bloomberg, these four firms supplied more than 80% of India’s Russian oil imports in 2024, making New Delhi a key player in global energy realignments.
India’s Firm Stance on Oil Trade
Despite Washington’s pressure, India has refused to bow to demands to halt oil imports from Russia.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently reaffirmed India’s position, saying that trade talks with the US will continue — but not under external pressure.
“We are talking to the United States, of course, but we don’t do deals in a hurry, and we don’t do deals with deadlines or with a gun on our head,” Goyal said last week.
Trump’s New Commerce Team and Policy Direction
Following Trump’s return to office earlier this year, Howard Lutnick replaced Raimondo as US Commerce Secretary. Lutnick has adopted a tougher stance toward India, defending the steep tariffs as a means to compel compliance over the Russian oil issue.
While Trump maintains that India will soon end its oil trade with Russia, analysts say the current approach risks alienating one of America’s most important strategic partners in Asia.
Why Raimondo’s Remarks Matter
Raimondo’s statements reflect growing concern within the US foreign policy community that the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda could evolve into “America Isolated.”
Experts believe that a strained relationship with India — a key member of the Quad alliance alongside Japan and Australia — could have far-reaching geopolitical implications in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Takeaway
As trade tensions intensify and global alliances shift, Gina Raimondo’s remarks underscore the delicate balance between economic nationalism and strategic diplomacy. Whether Washington reconsiders its tariff strategy on India could shape the trajectory of US-India relations in the years ahead.
