Recently a statement has come from the White House that look tariffs are not tariffs. What Donald Trump has imposed on India, are sanctions. Here you will see Donald Trump imposes sanctions on India to pressurize Moscow? Earlier many MPs of USA used to say that whatever sanctions have been imposed on India, these have been imposed to pressurize Vladimir Putin. But now you will see here the White House spokesperson also saying that Caroline Levett she is the spokesperson of Donald Trump’s White House. Here she is saying that Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on India.
We will talk about what is the difference between tariff and sanctions? And why whatever the US is openly doing with India today, calling it sanctions instead of tariff completely changes its meaning and it actually damages India US relations further.
Here the reporter again asked the question that how long will Trump wait with Putin? How long will this conversation continue? There was no question about India. Suddenly he started talking directly about India. Caroline Levett is the White House spokesperson.
The President has put tremendous public pressure to bring this war to a close. He has taken action as you have seen sanctions on India and other actions as well. He has made himself very clear that he wants to see this war and now sanctions on India.
Here he has said that all the sanctions have been put in place so that the Russia-Ukraine war ends. Now this is a big statement that India is currently under sanctions. These are not tariffs. And if you are asking here what is the difference between wait and tariff sanctions? Now look at the way Donald Trump sometimes says anything. Okay? It comes out of his mouth. Before him there was Biden, he also used to say anything. Either their spokesperson is such that anything comes out of his mouth. Or they don’t know what is the difference between tariff sanctions. The chances of which are very less. And if genuinely the US is assuming that sanctions have been imposed on India, then India should oppose it in very strong words because I will tell you the difference between tariff sanctions.
What is Tariff
Look, tariff is a type of tax or an import duty. Now suppose it is USA. USA has imposed a tariff of 19% on Pakistan even today. This does not mean that Pakistan cannot sell goods in USA. There is a ban. It is just that the goods which Pakistan used to sell earlier for ₹ 100 in USA will now be sold for ₹ 119 because ₹ 19 will go in the pocket of the US government. This tax has been imposed. US often imposes tariffs on friendly countries as well. It is a very common thing. Tariffs are sometimes imposed by friendly countries on each other. Sanctions are not imposed by friendly countries on each other. Sanctions are usually imposed on enemy countries.
What is meaning of sanctions
Many people actually do not understand the meaning of sanctions. Sanctions simply mean a ban. And sanctions can be of any type. People think that sanctions are of only one type. No, let me tell you here that sanctions can be of six types. One is travel visa. That people of your country or people of your country’s government cannot enter our country. The US has done this many times. They impose travel visas. For example, today many officials of Russia have travel visa restrictions imposed on them. These are travel sanctions. Then there are military sanctions. These are also called arms embargo. For example, these have been imposed on North Korea that no country will sell arms to North Korea. What has been imposed on North Korea? Military sessions. Then there are diplomatic sessions. That your embassy here, all of them should be shut down, go back, the US has already done this with Russia with the expulsion of diplomats. Then there are financial sessions. Now see, there is a difference between economic and financial sessions. In financial sessions, the bank accounts of your government, say in the US or any other country that has imposed sanctions, will be frozen, the foreign exchange reserves will be frozen. For example, Russia was cut off from the international payment system Swift, due to which Russia is not able to make international payments today. This is a part of financial sessions. Then there are trade sessions, which is a particular item. We will not trade this with you at all. For example, the USA had imposed chip sanctions on China. Then there are economic sessions in which you stop trade to a great extent, stop financing. You try to hurt the economy of the US which has imposed sanctions on Iran. Sanctions is a very heavy word. And let me tell you that India has always been against sanctions. Because if sanctions are imposed unilaterally, what is the benefit of it?
India says that if sanctions are to be imposed, then the United Nations will impose them. The world panchayat will impose them. Unilateral sanctions means that the US President sitting in Washington DC in the USA will directly impose sanctions. Everyone will have to follow them. So India has always been against this.
And I think India should say that if the US is assuming that these 50% and more tariffs will be imposed on India in the future, then do not look at it as tariffs. An attempt is being made to completely remove certain Indian products from the US market. We will make them so expensive that no one will buy them. These are just sanctions One type.
India should stand up against it. Because remember that tariffs are taxes, sanctions, punishments which are done for political leverage. And if now the US is saying that they have started imposing sanctions on India, then the US will also have to say whether India has become an enemy country for them. And the interesting thing is that ever since the USA has started using this word for India that sanctions have been imposed,
Russia has also used the same word for India and has said that the Trump sanctions are very unjustified. If Indian goods are not able to reach the US, the US is saying that we will impose tariffs and will not allow Indian goods to be sold in our market, then it is okay, they can head to Russia. Our market is still open for Indian goods.
Russia has also talked about 5% additional discount for India. It is giving very positive comments regarding India. Russia is giving complete support today. Because again, even Russia knows this. This is the time to support India as much as they can. Because whatever sanctions are being imposed on India by the US. The reason for this is that India’s relations with Russia are very strong. Now we are purchasing oil from Russia. So Russia has to defend India right now. And they are doing it too. Today, their on-voice ambassadors, their ministers are also making a lot of pro-India comments. Now finally, here I will ask you people one thing. If Trump himself starts saying repeatedly that he has imposed sanctions and not tariffs on India, then should we answer the sanctions with sanctions or not? Write about it in the comment section because I have told you the difference.
Now this does not seem like a WTO issue that the issue of tariffs will go to the World Trade Organizations etc. When there is talk of imposing sanctions on us. We do not accept sanctions, then what should India do here?
Write in the comment section.
