Just a month into Donald Trump’s presidency, global political dynamics have been significantly shaken. In his first month, he stirred debate by proposing to include Canada and the Gulf of Mexico into the United States, and agitated trade discussions from China to Panama. Recently, his focus seems to have shifted to India, mentioning it almost daily over the past week. But why?
On February 16,
Elon Musk's DOGE announced the cease of funding 15 programs, including the withdrawal of ₹182 crore allocated to India. Trump
publicized this on February 19,
questioning,
“Why are we giving India $21 million, approximately ₹182 crore? They have enough money. India is one of the highest tariff-imposing countries in the world. I respect India and its Prime Minister, but why $21 million?”
Trump's remarks about India sparked controversy. During an entire conference, he repeatedly questioned why America was spending ₹182 crore supposedly to increase voter turnout in India.
Yet, Trump didn’t stop there. On
February 20,
he reiterated that Biden’s previous plan aimed at using ₹182 crore to interfere in Indian elections was misguided.
Source: aajtak
Trump addressed the
FII Priority Summit
in Miami, Florida, questioning the rationale behind spending so much money to increase voting percentages in India. He suggested Biden’s administration aimed to sway elections, insisting on talking to India's government about this misunderstanding.
Trump remarked how, before his presidency, funds from the treasury were misused freely. The American institution USAID provided ₹182 crore to boost Indian voter turnout. In stark contrast, Russia’s $2000 internet ad in the U.S. elections became a major news item, while large sums were sent to India effectively unnoticed.
On
February 21,
Trump’s critique continued as he tackled U.S. funding to India. In Washington, he once again addressed the ₹182 crore funding under the guise of increasing voter turnout. He argued that this unknown fund usage bordered on a bribery scheme, and highlighted the lack of transparency regarding its expenditures.
Trump suggested
reciprocal tariffs
against India on
February 22.
During a program, he mentioned his friend, PM Modi, received ₹182 crore to expand voter turnout in India, and related impending tariffs against India and China.
Interestingly, during the
Conservative Conference
in Washington on
February 23,
Trump claimed the funding amount as ₹156 crore instead of 182 crores. He argued against the necessity of any monetary assistance to India, emphasizing they do not need the funds.
Mockingly, he suggested India was exploiting the U.S. by being the world’s highest tariff-imposing nation. Criticizing India’s 200% tariff on American products, he questioned why they were funded for voter turnout enhancements.
When Trump Declared ‘BRICS is Dead…’
Not only is Trump irritated by India, but he also has festering concerns about BRICS, of which India is a part. Recently, he’s expressed displeasure against BRICS multiple times. Through a post on Truth Social, Trump accused BRICS countries of challenging the dominance of the U.S. dollar and insisted that should they attempt to establish a new BRICS currency or support any other currency, they’d face a 100% tariff.
He stressed that the U.S. desires BRICS nations to understand they cannot replace the U.S. dollar. Should they try, a 100% tariff would be imposed on BRICS countries.
Speculations about BRICS launching their currency surfaced, but Trump seems determined to dissuade them with threats, solidifying his stance against BRICS with a stern warning.
