Donald Trump has intensified his tariff strategies in Asia, particularly targeting India, Thailand, and Cambodia, as part of a broader geopolitical agenda. In recent months, Trump threatened to impose even higher tariffs on Indian goods over the nation’s ongoing purchase of Russian oil. This action comes on the heels of earlier actions that raised tariffs on Indian goods to a shocking 50 percent. Now, due to a recent ceasefire agreement, Cambodia and Thailand have drastically lowered tariffs. This is different in that it uniquely encapsulates Trump’s bizarre strategy of employing peace to win better trade deals.
The more teeth Trumpism brings to bear on Western-led penalization or isolation of India around such core geopolitical matters, the better. This last demand has put tremendous pressure on US-India relations. This could provide the political pretext for major changes in alliance patterns around the region. Trump is in the middle of complicated tariff negotiations even as he tries to place the U.S. at center stage in Middle East peace talks. He must concentrate on settling many disputes, including the decades-long animosity between Pakistan and India.
The Tariff Landscape
His answer to India’s unwillingness to fall in line with U.S. defense priorities was a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports. Later, he ratcheted this up further by pushing the tariff to a full 50 percent. Together, these actions mark a comprehensive strategy at work to pressure countries to align with American geopolitical goals.
Trump’s Department of Commerce has threatened Thailand and Cambodia with punitive tariffs as high as 200%. They suggested an incredible 36 percent tariff for Thailand and up to 49 percent for Cambodia. An established ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand forced the Trump administration to decrease reciprocal tariffs to 19 percent. This surprising decision illustrates the tremendous power of diplomatic breakthroughs to influence economic policy.
Dr. Hussain Nadim, an expert on international relations, comments on the implications of these tariffs:
“The result of India running a multi-alignment foreign policy at the global stage benefits both from the US and Russia.”
The Role of Peacekeeping
Trump is doing all of this while using peacekeeping as a key diplomatic tool in his ongoing tariff negotiations. Through these ceasefire brokered agreements, he hopes to create a freer flow of trade and solidify military partnerships. Internationally, his administration takes credit for its role in fostering peace between Pakistan and India. Even prior to the ceasefire deal, Pakistan faced prohibitive tariffs, some reaching as much as 29 percent.
So far, this unique form of diplomatic engagement is creating quite a splash. Pakistan’s government is going so far as to suggest nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize based on his leadership of the peace process. Many observers are asking what exactly this so-called peacemaking is all about. Burmese observer Phyo Win Latt argues that Trump’s efforts represent a form of coercive diplomacy rather than genuine statesmanship:
“For those of us from Myanmar who have long been treated as collateral in great-power games, this strategy is all too familiar. Trump’s ‘peacemaking’ is no more than coercive diplomacy disguised as statesmanship.”
Impacts on Regional Relations
The region is changing in large part due to these ongoing tariff strategies, establishing new hierarchies and relationships. India’s reluctance to purchase American defense equipment and continued overtures toward Russia is an ongoing concern. As a direct consequence, it’s getting hit with steeper tariffs than its Southeast Asian competitors. Analysts suggest that this trend could push India closer to Russia and China as it seeks to maintain its multi-alignment foreign policy.
Malaysia is phasing down its tariff rates, as will Cambodia and Thailand. Together with their strong bilateral partnerships with the United States, they all illustrate how deep diplomatic relationships can result in substantial economic benefits.
“It seems that this is going to push India towards Russia and China.”
Thein, an expert on Myanmar’s political landscape, notes the complexities involved in these diplomatic maneuvers:
Htwe Htwe Thein, an expert on Myanmar’s political landscape, notes the complexities involved in these diplomatic maneuvers:
“It makes sense for Trump to take interest, even if it’s motivated by trade leverage or rare earths and geopolitical competition.”
