So, Dr. Bharat Barai, this longtime Chicago-based Indian-American oncologist and big-time community leader—he’s the guy who’s been hosting Modi since the ’90s and even helped lift that old US visa ban on him back in the day— he’s coming out strong against the latest US tariffs on India.
In a fresh interview, he’s basically saying these duties are killing the vibe between the two countries, and unless the US reverses them soon, things could stay frosty for a long time. He’s not shy about it: calls the tariffs “totally arbitrary,” whipped up by just a few guys in the Oval Office—Trump, Stephen Miller, and Peter Navarro—instead of letting Congress handle it like the Constitution says.
Barai’s big gripe? That extra 25% “penalty” duty tied to India buying discounted Russian oil (even though he condemns Russia’s Ukraine invasion). He points out India’s become an “innocent bystander casualty” here—China buys way more Russian oil but gets a pass because of rare earth leverage, and some European spots like Hungary or Slovenia skate free too. Total on many Indian goods now hits 50%, way harsher than on others.
Sure, there’s a trade deficit (we sell more to the US than they do to us), but Barai says slamming a full 25% reciprocal whack isn’t the economic fix—maybe 15% would be fairer. This feels more political than practical. He’s pinning hopes on the Supreme Court eventually ruling that presidents can’t just freelance tariffs like this.
On the flip side, he’s pumped about India’s glow-up globally: tighter with Europe, that fresh FTA with the UK, stronger links in Africa, even a defense deal with Australia. “India has gained respect from all over the world,” he says, “except perhaps in the United States right now.” Damn, that’s a gut punch.
This hits amid real heat—the Trump admin layered on these hikes in 2025, starting with reciprocal duties, then doubling down on steel/aluminum under Section 232 to 50% in spots, plus the Russian oil penalty pushing totals sky-high. Exporters in India are reeling, jobs at risk, prices spiking for American folks buying stuff.
But there’s fightback: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (whose district overlaps Barai’s area) just called ties “cold and frigid,” slamming the 50% as arbitrary, and a bunch of lawmakers introduced a resolution to scrap the worst bits.
For us diaspora types—remittances, family visits, rooting for both teams in cricket and whatever—this isn’t abstract. Good relations mean smoother trade, shared tech (hello, semiconductors and defense), teaming up on big threats like China. If tariffs keep the chill going, everybody’s colder.
Barai’s plea: Flip this, negotiate a real deal, let the momentum from past years thaw things out. With Modi and Trump talking directly, maybe there’s hope. Fingers crossed—this partnership feels like extended family; don’t let dumb duties mess it up.
Sources: Direct from IANS interview (Dec 15, 2025), syndicated on DD News, and others date Dec 14-15. Tariff details cross-checked with reports from Reuters, CNN Business and Economic Times coverage.
