On July 31, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated trade-row rhetoric by calling India and Russia “dead economies” in a post on Truth Social . He wrote, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together…” and added that the U.S. has done “very little business with India” because Indian tariffs are “among the highest in the world”.

The comments followed Trump’s announcement on July 30 of a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports, effective August 1, coupled with unspecified penalties tied to India’s energy and defence dealings with Russia. He also warned former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to “watch his words,” accusing him of dangerous provocations.

India’s government has stated it is “studying the implications” of Trump’s remarks and actions, while reaffirming ongoing talks toward a fair and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement . With strategic friction over Russia’s war in Ukraine and global trade alliances intensifying, Trump’s language underscores a sharp turn toward confrontation.