larry johnson shows how the orange man's tariffs are bringing brics closer to each other;

Trump’s attempt to derail BRICS by implementing tariffs is backfiring badly. Instead of convincing India, China and Brazil to separate from Russia and come crawling to Washington to, “kiss Trump’s ass,” Trump’s tariff debacle has resulted in forging closer ties among the BRICS founders. This is especially true with respect to India and China.

India has reacted to Trump’s 50% tariffs with a combination of diplomatic efforts to negotiate exemptions, domestic calls for boycotts and self-reliance, and a defense of its Russian oil imports as essential for energy security. While Modi is shying away from launching verbal bombs at Trump, political and industry voices in India are demanding stronger retaliation, and social media is amplifying growing anti-American sentiment. Economically, India is poised to absorb the tariff hit, leveraging its market size and diversification.

India’s response is strategically cautious, balancing diplomatic restraint with domestic pressures to resist perceived US bullying. The government’s mild rhetoric and focus on negotiations reflect an understanding that escalation could harm $86.5 billion in annual exports to the US, particularly for labor-intensive sectors like textiles and seafood. However, the boycott calls and opposition’s strong language indicate growing anti-American sentiment, which will complicate US-India relations, especially after India’s concessions like allowing Starlink and importing US energy. The tariffs’ economic impact, while significant, is not catastrophic (Morgan Stanley’s $23 billion GDP hit estimate), and India’s measured approach suggests confidence in its economic resilience and geopolitical leverage. Yet, the lack of immediate retaliation contrasts with sentiments on X (e.g., @RT_India_news) advocating for a tougher stance, highlighting a divide between public frustration and government pragmatism.............more..........