Putin Criticizes US Tariffs: ‘Can’t Speak to India, China Like That’ – The Colonial Era is Done

International News | September 2025: In a sharp rebuke to Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the US can’t engage rising powers, like India and China, with threats, tariffs, and US sanctions. After the SCO Summit and a military parade in China, the Russian President singled out former President Donald Trump and the outdated approach of the Trump Administration and its approach to international trade. He characterized the disputes rooted in “colonial era.”

Putin India-China Point: ‘Colonial Era is Done’

Speaking to global media, Putin said that the American strategy of painting Asia’s two largest economies, and using secondary sanctions and heavy tariffs, is flawed.

“The colonial era is now finished. They have to realize they cannot use these words when addressing their partners. You cannot speak with India or China that way,” warned Putin.

Putin stressed that both India and China represent economic powerhouses with independent political systems and their leaders will never agree to economic bullying. “You are talking about 1.5 billion people, histories in the deep, domestically complex laws. Using threats will not exactly lead to cooperation, only make them work harder to resist you!” he said.

Putin Tells Trump: Sanctions Policy Will Backfire

The remarks made by the Russian leader have been widely observed as a warning to Donald Trump and Washington’s current foreign policy establishment. According to Putin, using sanctions as an instrument of diplomacy destroys trust and pushes Asia closer to Russia.

Putin pointed to the US sanctions against Russian oil and its allies, indicating that such actions have only encouraged more engagement among the sanctioned countries. “Instead of isolating us, they have pushed India and China to engage with us more deeply on energy,” Putin said, about the recent increase in Russian oil exports to Asia in defiance of the restrictions from the West.

In describing the India-China tariffs and the broader US-China trade war, Putin stated that it demonstrates a pattern of American protectionism. “When Washington puts tariffs on India and China, it not only harms those economies, it undermines the global supply chains,” he added.

He stated that some countries are trying to diversify energy and trade routes to avoid reliance on the West (India) and while this was happening China is retaliating with tariffs thus escalating the worldwide trade war.

Ukraine Conflict and its Global Ripple Effects

Putin also mentioned the global conflict in Ukraine and how US-led sanctions related to it have altered allegiances. He claimed that the US has failed to isolate Moscow and has actually strengthened ties with Asian economies.

“History weighs heavily on India and China. They have suffered under colonialism and colonial restrictions. Now when Washington talks of punishment, the leaders in Delhi and Beijing are reminded of those days. It is not a good idea to show weakness,” said Putin.

He suggested that the conflict in Ukraine has only sped up the changes of the world; countries throughout Asia are rejecting US hegemonic power.

SCO Summit: Building Alternative Alliances

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Putin emphasized the importance of regional alliances that prioritize trade, energy security, and multipolarity. The presence of India and China at the summit signaled a collective stance against unilateral sanctions and tariffs.

“The SCO provides a platform where countries can pursue cooperation without interference. Unlike the US-led system, it respects sovereignty,” Putin declared.

World News Impact: End of American Monopoly?

Putin’s statements come at a time when Washington is doubling down on its secondary sanctions, not only against Russia but also targeting nations buying Russian oil. However, global resistance is rising.

By calling out Donald Trump’s policies and cautioning against US sanctions, Putin positioned Russia as a defender of multipolar world order. Analysts suggest that his message—“You can’t talk to India or China like that”—reflects a growing sentiment across Asia that the colonial era mindset has no place in 21st-century geopolitics.