‘Big Mistake to Target India’ – Canadian Businessman Issues Stern Message to Trump

Washington/Ottawa/New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): US President Trump's announcement of imposing 25 percent tariff on India and additional penalty on trade with Russia has created a stir in the global business world. Reactions are coming internationally on this move of Trump. Kirk Lubimov, a leading Canadian businessman and chairman of Testbed, has strongly criticized this policy of Trump and called it a "geopolitical mistake" for American interests in Asia.

*"I've said it before and I'll say it again — Trump's tariff vision completely ignores geopolitical strategy. Now he's picking a fight with India, the world's fastest-growing economy, whose Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the most influential leaders on the global stage today," Lubimov wrote in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Lubimov clarified that this tough stance towards India can adversely affect America's global supply chain strategy. He said that India is being seen as an alternative to China and at a time when America wants to balance the growing influence of BRICS and China, it is unwise to target India economically.

He also added, "America will no longer make a toothbrush for 50 cents. In such a situation, a country like India should be taken along and not adopted the path of confrontation." He also advised Trump to increase cooperation with Canada instead of confrontation with India so that America's natural resource needs can be met.

It is worth noting that recently Trump had announced to impose 25 percent tariff on all goods coming from India. Along with this, he had also warned of economic sanctions and penalties on India's purchase of crude oil and military equipment from Russia. Trump had said, "I don't care what India does with Russia. Together they can further destroy their dead economy."

Experts believe that these statements and policies of Trump can cause a serious blow to America's Asia strategy and it will also impact the global trade equations.