'PM Modi can't, shouldn't bend knee to Donald Trump': US tariffs on India draws rare bipartisan concern in US - watch

NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump's tariff war against India has drawn rare bipartisan concern in US with American leaders across political spectrums warning against the move.

Former US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell warned that that the India-US ties were at risk as he added that “Prime Minister Modi cannot and should not bend the knee to President Trump."


“America’s most important relationship in the 21st century is with India. Much of that is now at risk. The way President Trump has spoken about India and PM Modi has put the Indian govt in a difficult position," Campbell said in an interview to CNBC International.


Former US vice president Mike Pence joined the criticism as he said that tariffs ultimately burdened American companies and consumers, as he reaffirmed his support for free trade and warning of their economic fallout.

"American Companies and American Consumers Pay the Cost of American Tariffs. Free Trade with Free Nations," he said in a post on X. Pence cited an article noting that Ford paid $800 million in tariffs over just three months despite building most of its vehicles in the US, a remark seen as a direct swipe at Trump’s economic policies.


Donald Trump has taken a tough stance against New Delhi's Russian oil purchases imposing an additional 25% tariffs. India has defended its Russian oil purchases, calling it a move necessitated by "global market conditions".

India noted that the EU’s trade with Russia in 2024 reached €67.5 billion in goods and €17.2 billion in services in 2023, far exceeding India’s own trade volumes with Moscow. European LNG imports also hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, surpassing the previous peak in 2022.

New Delhi also pointed out that the US continues to import key Russian products, including uranium hexafluoride for nuclear plants, palladium for EV production, as well as fertilisers and chemicals.