America First or America Alone? Trump’s Bullying of Bharat

Paromita Das

New Delhi, 29th August: In the new world order, where multipolarity is slowly becoming the norm, the United States under Donald Trump seems desperate to cling to its fading image of unilateral supremacy. The former slogan “Make America Great Again” has morphed into a dangerous playbook of tariffs, sanctions, and arm-twisting tactics that are less about rejuvenating America and more about punishing others—Bharat included. The latest wave of Trumpian aggression—tariffs on Bharatiya imports—once again exposes the hollowness of Washington’s approach. Instead of introspection, the U.S. seems to think it can bully Bharat and the rest of the world into compliance.

But the bigger question is this: who gave the West the moral authority to punish nations for protecting their own economic and strategic interests? The irony is glaring—America, a $28 trillion economy, staggering under a $36.2 trillion debt and a trade deficit of over $60 billion, presumes it has the right to dictate terms to the rest of the globe.

A Fragile Empire With Fragile Economics

Trump’s economic bullying is rooted in insecurity, not strength. The United States is no longer the manufacturing powerhouse it once was. Over the decades, it outsourced its industrial base to China and the rest of Asia in pursuit of cheaper labor and efficiency. Today, when imports far outstrip exports, Trump responds not with innovation or policy reform, but with punitive tariffs.

However, tariffs are not a solution—they are symptoms of desperation. They punish not only foreign exporters but also American consumers, who face rising prices and shrinking purchasing power. As former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers rightly remarked, America is essentially pursuing a “shoot yourself in the foot strategy.” Far from making America great, tariffs may accelerate its decline into stagflation—a toxic mix of high inflation and stagnant growth.

Trump’s Blind Spot: Multipolar Reality

The tragedy of Trump’s worldview is its outdated assumption that the world is still unipolar, dominated by the U.S. That era is long gone. Today, global power is distributed among multiple actors, with China, Bharat, Russia, BRICS, and the Global South emerging as formidable players.

Bharat, with a $4.19 trillion nominal GDP and a growth rate of 6.5%, is the fastest-growing major economy. China’s $19.23 trillion economy and Russia’s energy-driven clout further balance global power. BRICS alone accounts for over 40% of the world’s economy. On top of this, the G20, representing 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population, is shaping the rules of engagement for the future.

In this context, Trump’s attempts to bully Bharat—or any other nation—look not just shortsighted but archaic. Bharat’s civilizational pride and independent worldview make it resistant to Western diktats. Bharat is not China’s junior partner, nor America’s client state. It is an emerging pole in its own right.

The Trumpian Disruption: Global Fallout

The danger of Trump’s aggressive tariffs and sanctions lies not just in economic arithmetic but in the global shockwaves they trigger. By disrupting supply chains, undermining trust, and injecting uncertainty into markets, these policies weaken the very fabric of international cooperation.

Globalization, for all its flaws, works on the principle that no country can produce everything. Cooperation is not optional—it is fundamental. By dismantling these networks through coercion, Trump risks driving nations toward protectionism, autarky, and fractured alliances. The result? Slower growth, reduced innovation, and a dangerous weakening of global economic resilience.

Why Bharat Matters in This Equation

Bharat is uniquely positioned in this geopolitical drama. It is both a partner of the West and a leader of the Global South. Its decisions—whether in trade, energy, or technology—carry weight far beyond its borders. When Trump slaps tariffs on Bharatiya exports, it’s not just Bharat that feels the sting; it sends tremors through Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where Bharat is increasingly seen as a bridge between developing nations and the developed world.

By targeting Bharat, Trump is not merely punishing a single country—he is undermining an emerging global balance. Bharat’s resistance to such bullying will define the contours of the multipolar order for decades to come.

The West’s Hypocrisy on Full Display

The most striking aspect of Trump’s policy is its hypocrisy. Washington, drowning in debt and plagued by economic mismanagement, positions itself as the world’s moral arbiter. It wields tariffs as weapons, sanctions as punishments, and trade wars as ultimatums—all while preaching the virtues of a “rules-based order.”

But rules are only rules when they apply to all. When they are twisted to serve one nation’s interests, they become nothing more than instruments of coercion. Bharat—and the rest of the world—must reject this double standard.

A Call for a Real Greatness

If America truly wants to be great again, it must abandon the illusion of dominance and embrace the reality of interdependence. Greatness is not built on tariffs, bullying, or economic coercion—it is built on values, innovation, cooperation, and trust.

Trump’s current approach risks isolating the U.S. while strengthening the resolve of emerging powers like Bharat, China, and Russia. The multipolar world is not an illusion; it is here, and it is irreversible. America must choose: adapt to this new reality or cling to outdated supremacy at the cost of its own prosperity.

For Bharat, the path is clear: stand firm, resist bullying, and champion a new world order based on respect, equality, and cooperation.