- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a strong critique of US tariffs on India, American journalist Rick Sanchez described India as the “big boy,” asserting that the country will not be treated like a “schoolchild” over its energy purchases. Sanchez’s remarks came after the United States imposed secondary tariffs on India for importing Russian oil, which added to existing 25 per cent duties, bringing total levies to 50 per cent.
Speaking to ANI, Sanchez called the Trump administration’s decision “extremely preposterous” and “disrespectful.” He said the policy effectively treated India as if it needed direction on its sovereign energy decisions. “When India looked back at the US and said, ‘You will not tell us who we can or cannot buy oil from,’ it was such a cataclysmic, transformational moment,” he remarked, calling the move a display of ignorance regarding India’s history, resources, and global significance.
And Village Official As Biological Father | What Happened Next?
Understanding India’s Strategic Context
Sanchez explained that the US appeared oblivious to the broader geopolitical context behind Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He highlighted that India’s foreign policy and energy decisions are rooted in its historical experiences and strategic calculations, which must be understood rather than dismissed. “Too many people think India started with Gandhi... However, what India has done for the world is every bit as important, if not more so, than what Europe and Mesopotamia have achieved,” he said.
The journalist also criticised the selective nature of Trump’s sanctions, targeting India for doing business with Russia while largely ignoring China and other nations. “There’s no particular rhyme or reason to who he sanctions or why he sanctions them or when he sanctions them. That’s not good. You have to have some sense of stability and consistency,” Sanchez added.
US Misunderstanding Of Global South And India
Sanchez further noted that many US leaders show a concerning lack of understanding regarding the Global South and India’s geopolitical complexities. “Their decisions often stem from cable news coverage rather than a nuanced understanding of history, culture, or strategy,” he said. Addressing Trump adviser Peter Navarro’s comment calling the Russia-Ukraine conflict PM Modi’s war, Sanchez described it as “absolutely laughable,” highlighting Navarro’s limited intellectual grasp and the broader ignorance of US policymakers.
The journalist emphasised that despite pressures from neoconservatives, warmongers, and arms industry representatives, India remains a sovereign actor whose strategic decisions cannot be dictated externally. “India’s the big boy, not a schoolchild,” Sanchez reiterated, underscoring that Washington must respect New Delhi’s independent choices, particularly in energy procurement.