India now incurs higher U.S. tariffs than China. What does it say about Trump’s foreign policy?

De-escalation in tensions between China and the U.S. after their leaders met in South Korea last Thursday stands in stark contrast to the chill in Washington-New Delhi relations, with India now subject to higher U.S. tariffs than Beijing.

Experts said that the strategic relationship between India and U.S. built over two decades has substantially eroded. Atman Trivedi a partner and lead of the South Asia Practice at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group said trust between the two countries “could take years rebuild.”

Steep tariffs, $100,000 fee for H1B visas, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of having brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan are among issues that have led to deterioration of ties between New Delhi and Washington in recent months, according to experts. “President Trump evidently does not value India as a partner in balancing China as much as the previous presidents,” said Raymond Vickery Jr., senior associate and chair on India and emerging Asia Economics at Center for Strategic and International Studies.

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