TRUMP DECLARES ECONOMIC WAR ON INDIA — GOOD!

by Daniel Barge

I don't have too many hard positions on most things, as it interferes with understanding our ever-changing rather topsy-turvy World. But if I do take a hard position on anything at all in the current news cycle, it is that the war in the Ukraine must be ended as soon as possible and definitely in Ukraine's favour.

So, it is with some pleasure that I see Donald Trump has finally backed away from what we can call his naïve policy of ending the war through "having a cosy chat" with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, and is now applying more solid pressure, this time, on those countries that have economically enabled Russia to continue its war of aggression.

As reported by the Wall Street Journal:

"President Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on imports from India in response to the country's continued purchases of Russian oil.

That comes on top of the 25% tariff on Indian imports Trump announced last week. India has repeatedly defended its purchases of Russian oil as necessary to support its economy and keep energy prices steady."

Excellent, and fuck you, India!

Of course, China is the worst offender here, but number two in supporting from the side-lines the murder of Ukrainians is definitely India, which has effectively been playing both sides to seek its selfish advantage.

At least with China, it is a fellow anti-Western totalitarian autocracy to Putin's, and can be expected to behave that way. After all, no one blames a tiger for behaving like a tiger.

But with India, it is a different story. Unlike China, India pretends to be a "part of the West" - speaking English, playing cricket (quite well sometimes), and being a supposedly "freedom-loving democracy." Just like us, except somewhat browner and less provided with water closets, although even that may be changing. 

It is also particularly keen to be seen as a "friendly face" when it comes to sending millions of its young men — thirsty for knowledge and other things — into the Western tech sector on H-1B visas, etc.

Then, while they are sidling up to us, they are secretly betraying the West by buying up Russian oil and supplying the labour to fill the gaps in the Russian economy, in the process enabling Russia to keep murdering Westerners in the persons of the citizens of the Ukraine, while driving up our defence costs. 

So, well done, Donald Trump, for finally calling India out for its bullshit and duplicity. I only hope you don't TACO out this time. Let's face it, you need to stick it out, as too many people already think the Russians have got something on you. Hurting Putin by hurting his Indian friends is not a bad way to start rolling that back.