Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday (October 17, 2025) reacted to the tariffs imposed on India by US President Donald Trump. Sunak said that every country will react to this keeping in mind its national interests. Along with this, he also emphasized on building relationships based on trust.

He said, ‘I think every country will work in its national interests and this is absolutely right.’ He described politics based on give and take as shameful and said that very little results are achieved from such relationships.

The old global order is over – Sunak

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said at the NDTV World Summit 2025, ‘When you base your relationships on trust, they can become stronger over time.’ Sunak gave the example of his relationship with European Union chief Ursula vo der Leyen during his tenure, saying that together they resolved the most difficult post-Brexit issues between Britain and the EU.

During this time, when asked about India’s handling of the unrest caused by American tariffs, former British PM Rishi Sunak said, ‘The old global order in which I grew up has now ended. I don’t think she will come back now. But some things are clear, that I see multipolarity and countries will focus on their respective strengths.

America imposed 50 percent tariff on India

America has imposed 50 percent tariff on goods imported from India. In this, an additional tariff of 25 percent has also been imposed as a punishment for the purchase of crude oil and gas mainly from Russia.

On the other hand, Washington’s reasoning behind President Donald Trump’s move was that such transactions finance Russia’s war against Ukraine. Whereas India has continued to purchase crude oil and energy from Russia based on market forces and national security needs rather than geopolitical alignment. India has been defending its right to ensure affordable and secure energy for its citizens.

Also read: Will Trump remove the tariffs imposed on China? US President said- ‘This is not sustainable’