US Treasury Secretary says India is not a major global player, but behind this insult lies Trump's desire to strike hard!
India should neither be overly arrogant nor overly self-deprecating.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated in a media interview that “India is not a major global player.” This statement was reported by several media outlets yesterday (August 1).
What exactly did Mnuchin mean?
In fact, by reviewing the relevant documents signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 31, one can discern—
Mnuchin's remarks are closely linked to Trump's actions!
1、Bessent made his remarks about India not being important on July 31. He told television cameras that India had approached the US for negotiations on tariff issues long ago, but progress had been very slow.
From Bessent's remarks, it is clear that he wanted to emphasize that it was India that approached the US for tariff negotiations, not the other way around.
“They've been dragging their feet, and I think the president and the entire trade team are a bit disappointed with India!”
Bessent was clearly criticizing India, attempting to shift the blame for the lack of a trade agreement between the United States and India onto India!
As for the “India isn't that important” argument, it is a particularly humiliating statement toward India!
It is well known that India's gross domestic product (GDP) for the 2024 fiscal year reached 3.84 trillion US dollars, surpassing its former colonial ruler, the United Kingdom, and is now very close to Japan, which ranks fourth in the world. On May 25, India's leading public policy think tank, the Institute for Transformed Nations, even claimed that, according to its statistical data, India's GDP had exceeded 4 trillion US dollars, surpassing Japan for the first time, ranking fourth in the world behind the United States, China, and Germany.
Hai Shu believes that regardless of whether India's GDP has surpassed Japan's to rank fourth globally, its recent economic growth has indeed been impressive. At the same time, we must acknowledge that:
It has developed nuclear weapons on its own—though it is not a legally recognized nuclear-armed state, it does indeed possess such “big bombs”!
The Indian aircraft carrier fleet consisting of the Vikrant (left) and the INS Vikramaditya (right)
India can build aircraft carriers—a capability even Russia has never possessed!
Upon hearing Bensant's remarks, wouldn't Indians be furious, as if someone had poked a hole in their lungs?
India hasn't said it wants to rival the US, nor has it said it plans to surpass the US in GDP. Why was it so humiliated by Bensant? This guy seems eager to call on Americans to simply ignore India!
2、We will have to wait and see what Trump does on July 31.
After announcing on July 30 that he would impose a 25% tariff on India, Trump officially signed an executive order on July 31, with the new tariffs on India set to take effect on August 7.
While Bensant publicly humiliated India in the media, US media also reported that “India is not prepared to retaliate against Trump's tariff stick.”
Note that the claim that “India will not retaliate” comes from U.S. media, not Indian officials.
When viewed alongside Besant's remarks, it is clear that the U.S. aims to use various coercive measures not only to humiliate India but also to force it to meekly accept Trump's tariff measures—
preferably to thank Trump after being hit with the tariffs. How satisfying!
Modi (left) and Trump Photo: Reference
US media also said that India not only did not retaliate, but was weighing various options to appease the White House. This implies that Trump's tariff measures were very difficult, and India, which was hit by them, still had to consider giving the US president some compensation. “Increasing US imports is an option India can take.” Look, the US media has already made arrangements for India!
There is also speculation that Trump's significant dissatisfaction with India stems from—
Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, India has continued to import energy from Russia.
This is puzzling!
Isn't Trump on good terms with Russian President Putin?
Yet he is now asking some countries, including India, “Why are you importing energy from Russia?”
The U.S. media has provided the answer! It claims that Trump wants India to increase its imports of energy from the United States, such as purchasing more U.S.-produced natural gas. Other items, such as gold mined in the United States and communication equipment manufactured there, must also be included on India's procurement list.
It all boils down to tariffs,
and it all comes down to money!
What morality is there to speak of? “Bring the money, Modi!” Trump would love to say that!
Trump even helped India analyze the situation—
During the conflict with Pakistan, didn't India lose a lot of fighter jets? Since those French-made and Russian-made fighter jets didn't work out for India, why not ask the US to buy F-35 fighter jets?
Little did anyone know that Indian media responded by stating that Prime Minister Modi had already heard about Trump's pitch for the F-35 fighter jet during his visit to the US in February—
before the latest round of India-Pakistan conflict had even begun!
However, Modi outright rejected Trump's “kind offer.” It turns out that India wants to produce its own weapons, and if the US doesn't transfer its production lines to India, India isn't interested in American-made fighter jets!
As he signed the new tariff documents for India, Trump angrily remarked, “India has always purchased the majority of its military equipment from Russia and is Russia's largest energy buyer. At this very moment, everyone hopes Russia will stop the slaughter in Ukraine—none of this is good!”
It feels like Trump's tone on the Russia-Ukraine conflict wasn't like this when he first returned to the White House earlier this year. No wonder he threatened to impose tariffs on Russia!
3
Is India a major global player?
People have different opinions.
From India's GDP alone, it's already significant.
Within the United States, some have long recognized that India is not only a large country with a large population—now the world's most populous nation—but also a unique civilization. Therefore, India should not be underestimated.
From India's perspective, leaders like Prime Minister Modi would never underestimate their own country. They would love to see India become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council immediately.
Of course, from the perspective of the Global South, India has always been seen as an important force.
On April 29, White House Press Secretary Levitt (right) and US Treasury Secretary Bensant attend a press conference at the White House in Washington.
India should not be arrogant, nor should it be overly modest. As for Besant's remarks, they are probably intended to blackmail India, so just listen to them and move on!
India is India—
its development is uneven, and many areas are still underdeveloped, but its economy is already very large. Such an India deserves our attention and respect. At the same time, we should also recognize that the way many people around the world view India, or the way they appear to view India, is motivated by ulterior motives!