Former Australian PM Tony Abbott calls Trump’s 50% tariff on India a “misplayed” move and a “temporary setback”; reaction sparks debate on US-India ties and energy policy.
Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott publicly criticised US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods, calling the move a case where Trump “misplayed his hand” and describing the tariffs as a “temporary setback” for New Delhi. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Abbott — while noting his personal support for Trump — argued that Washington’s punitive step was misplaced, especially since other major trading partners accused of unfair trade practices were not singled out in the same manner. Abbott’s remarks underline how the tariff decision has opened a fresh diplomatic debate over trade policy and strategic ties between democracies.
The US package includes a 50% tariff on a range of Indian goods and a specific 25% penalty aimed at purchases of Russian energy, a measure Washington says is intended to cut funding for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. India has defended its energy purchases as market-driven and necessary for national energy security, and New Delhi publicly denied any conversation in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil — a claim Trump has made. Abbott warned that while the tariffs constitute a setback, shared democratic values and broader strategic interests give room for a rapid diplomatic remedy, should both sides pursue dialogue.
The reaction from Abbott adds a high-profile voice to a chorus of business leaders and diplomats urging de-escalation and talks. Analysts say the dispute could spur negotiations on trade exemptions, energy diplomacy, and a re-examination of supply-chain risks — issues that will feature in official channels as both countries weigh economic and geopolitical costs.
