United States President Donald Trump has claimed that the US has “lost” India and Russia to “deepest, darkest China”, amid trade tensions and higher 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports into the US.
He also shared a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.
In a post on Truth Social on September 5, US President Donald Trump said, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!”
The statement and wish for a “long and prosperous future together” came as a U-turn from Donald Trump’s previous statements, where he dismissed the possibility of an anti-US axis forming due to his tariffs, and claimed that India had offered the US “zero tariffs” due to pressure from hiked duties.
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‘They were hoping I was watching…’
Earlier, on September 3, Donald Trump accused Putin and Xi of staging their joint appearance at the Beijing military parade, hoping he was watching.
The event marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, featuring displays of advanced weaponry. Also in attendance were North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
“I thought it was very, very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing it. And they were hoping I was watching — and I was watching,” Donald Trump said.
However, when asked about a possible “axis” forming against Washington, he brushed aside concerns. “I am not concerned at all … We have the strongest military in the world, by far. They would never use their military on us. Believe me,” he said.
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‘I understood tariffs better than any human being in the world’
Speaking on The Scott Jennings Radio Show on September 2, Donald Trump claimed that India offered him “no tariffs” following the hike of duties to 50 per cent, adding that “India kills us” with tariffs.
“They have tariffs against us. China, which kills us with tariffs. India kills us with tariffs. Brazil kills us… I understood tariffs better than any human being in the world. And now with my tariffs, they were all dropping them. India was the most highly tariffed nation… And you know what, they’ve offered me no tariffs in India anymore. No tariffs,” Donald Trump said.
“If I didn’t have tariffs, they would never make that offer. They would never make that offer. So you have to have tariffs. We’re going to be economically strong,” he claimed.