Navarro’s latest on India tariff: ‘Modi a great leader… Brahmins profiteering’ with Russian oil

US President Donald Trump’s close aide Peter Navaroo, the White House Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing, continues to shoot from mouth. In his latest and outlandish remark, in an interview to Fox News, Navarro questioned India’s policies, alleging that the country’s economic structure was being misused.

Responding to a question on 50 per cent tariff on imports from India, he said, “Modi is a great leader , I don’t understand why he is getting in Bed with [Russia’s President Vladimir] Putin and [China’s President] Xi Jinping when he is the biggest democracy in the world.”

“So, I would simply say to India people , please understand what is going on here you got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of India people we need that to stop,” Navarro claimed in a clear display of his ignorance about India and its people.

Comparing the US policies towards India and China, Navarro said, “We have 50 per cent tariff now on India. We also have little more than 50 per cent tariff on China. So the question is how much higher do want to go with that actually.”

He argued that India’s oil dealings with Russia had changed significantly in recent years. “But let’s talk about India because the only thing that we have to know is that before (Russian President Vladimir) Putin invaded in February 20222, India bought Russian oil in a very small amount. Putin gives (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi a discount on crude, they refine it and they then ship it to Africa, Europe and Asia at big premium.”

According to Navarro, this trade directly strengthens Moscow. “It fuels Russia war machine. So, 25 per cent or 50 per cent is because India is ‘maharaja’ of tariff.”

His comments came against the backdrop of escalating tariff debates in Washington, with an appeals court ruling most of Trump tariffs “illegal”. A furious Trump criticised the 7-4 ruling of the US court, and declared that America would be “completely destroyed” without the duties he had imposed.

“Without Tariffs, and all of the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS we have already taken in, our Country would be completely destroyed, and our military power would be instantly obliterated,” Trump wrote on TruthSocial.

He lashed out at the court decision, branding the majority judges “a Radical Left group.” Trump, however, praised one dissenting judge, “a Democrat, Obama appointed,” thanking him “for his Courage” and adding, “He loves and respects the USA.”

On Friday, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said Trump lacked the authority to impose sweeping, open-ended tariffs on almost all imports. While the court struck them down, it allowed the duties to remain in place until October 14, giving Trump time to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The tariffs have been a pillar of Trump’s trade policy, with global consequences. India has been hit with a 50 per cent duty — among the steepest — largely due to its continued imports of Russian oil.