Oh Trump. Not This Again.

Trump is threatening a tariff increase on Indian imports and the timing is not random. India bought oil from Russia. The US did not like it. And now we are watching international trade turn into a tool of political messaging. Again.

Let’s be clear. Tariffs are legal. They are also strategic. When used this way, they are less about economics and more about asserting control. The message is simple. If you don’t play by our rules, we raise the price of playing with us.

This isn’t just about jackets or jewellery or whatever goods are on that list. It’s about policy pressure. It’s about sovereignty. It’s about whether trade deals can be weaponised to punish countries for independent decisions.

Under international law, countries are allowed to impose tariffs. But if the motive is retaliation over political alignment, it raises serious questions under WTO norms. Especially when it targets a specific country for exercising its foreign policy options.

If sovereignty is negotiable, expect the invoice.