A Tale of Two Asian Giants: Trump’s Different Strokes for India and China

President Donald Trump’s UN speech revealed a “different strokes for different folks” policy towards the two Asian giants, India and China. While he named both as “primary funders” of the Ukraine war, his administration’s corresponding actions and broader rhetoric show a significantly harsher and more punitive approach towards India.
In his speech, Trump lumped India and China together for their continued purchase of Russian oil. However, the consequences have been far from equal. The US has slapped India with crippling 50% tariffs on its imports, a measure specifically designed to coerce New Delhi into changing its energy policy.
China, on the other hand, has been spared major punitive tariffs related to this issue. This is particularly noteworthy as Trump’s address came shortly after he had a phone call with President Xi Jinping to advance talks on a broader trade agreement. While the US has a host of trade issues with China, on the specific matter of Russian oil, Beijing is receiving a lighter touch than New Delhi.
This disparity in treatment has not gone unnoticed in India. It raises questions about the true nature of the US-India strategic partnership and whether India is being unfairly singled out. While the US-China relationship is more complex and arguably more adversarial, the current approach seems to penalize the partner (India) more heavily than the rival (China) on this specific issue.
Trump’s other jab at India—the claim of stopping an India-Pakistan war—further highlights the differential treatment. No similar claim that undermines China’s regional standing was made. This suggests a unique willingness to publicly pressure and slight New Delhi, even as delicate negotiations with Beijing continue.