In a rare moment of sharp self-reflection from within the United States media, veteran journalist and political commentator Rick Sanchez publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on India, describing the move as a “disrespectful and ignorant policy” that fails to recognize India’s stature as a global power.
Sanchez, in an interview with ANI news agency on Sunday, strongly denounced Washington’s choice to penalize India for its continued purchase of Russian oil—a sovereign decision by New Delhi that has become a flashpoint in U.S.-India relations.
The Trump administration has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, compounded by an additional 25% penalty on Russian oil imports, resulting in a total duty of 50%.
“This is a cataclysmic moment,” Sanchez said, underscoring that the U.S. is acting in an almost imperial manner.
“It’s a disrespectful and ignorant policy because it shows a complete lack of understanding of the underlying factors that led to the Ukraine war from Russia’s perspective. Prime Minister Modi has acknowledged these complexities, but Washington refuses to.”
“India Is the Big Boy, Not a Schoolchild”
Sanchez didn’t mince words when highlighting the arrogance behind Washington’s stance. He said treating India—a nation with a rich civilizational history and one of the world’s fastest-growing economies—as a subordinate is both insulting and misguided.
“It’s almost like they’re treating India as if it were a schoolchild that needs to be told what to do,” he remarked. “India is the big boy here.
Too many people act as if India’s history began with Gandhi, forgetting that this nation’s contributions to science, mathematics, spirituality, and trade are every bit as important, if not more, than what Europe or Mesopotamia has given the world.”
Trump’s Whimsical Foreign Policy Faces Global Criticism
Sanchez’s outspoken criticism resonates with a growing chorus of world leaders, writers, intellectuals, and unbiased commentators who are alarmed by Trump’s erratic, confrontational, and increasingly whimsical trade policies.
Trump’s tariffs on India are just the latest in a series of economic salvos aimed at allies and rivals alike. Over the past months, Trump has levied punitive duties on numerous countries, drawing condemnation for what many see as short-sighted protectionism that undermines global trade.
For India, a nation that prides itself on independent foreign policy decisions, these actions amount to an attempt at coercion.
Analysts say such moves are likely to push New Delhi even closer to emerging Eurasian alliances, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where China, Russia, and India are exploring multipolar trade and security frameworks that diminish Washington’s influence.
A Journalist Who Spoke Truth to Power
In an era when much of the Western media is often accused of towing political lines, Sanchez’s candid remarks have stood out as a rare display of journalistic integrity.
By condemning his own country’s leadership, Sanchez has sparked a broader debate about America’s waning diplomatic finesse and its inability to engage partners through dialogue rather than intimidation.
His statement reflects the frustration of many seasoned observers who see Trump’s foreign policy as driven more by personal outbursts and political theater than by strategic vision. This is particularly damaging in a world already grappling with trade uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and a desire for equitable partnerships.
With leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi steadfastly defending India’s sovereignty in trade and energy policy, the message from New Delhi is clear: India will not be dictated to, no matter how high the tariffs climb.
The broader takeaway from Sanchez’s remarks is equally powerful—the world is no longer willing to accept unilateralism disguised as diplomacy.
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