At a time when trade tensions between India and the United States have reached a flashpoint over US President Donald Trump’s sweeping 50% tariffs on Indian imports, a significant voice has emerged from Europe. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has cautioned Washington and the European Union that unless they pursue a more “cooperative and dignified” foreign policy towards the Global South, particularly India, the West risks “losing the game.” His intervention is notable not just for its timing, but also for his unusually close rapport with Donald Trump, which makes his words carry greater weight in global diplomatic circles.
Stubb’s Message: Respect for the Global South
Speaking in reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended, Stubb said the event highlighted how the geopolitical balance is shifting.
“My message, not only to my European colleagues, but especially to the United States, is that if we don’t derive a more cooperative and dignified foreign policy towards the Global South, the likes of India, we are going to lose this game,” Stubb stated.
He further noted that the SCO gathering was a reminder to the West of what is at stake, admitting that Europe and the US were struggling to preserve the “remnants of the old order.”
The Trade Tensions: Trump’s Tariff Bombshell
Stubb’s remarks came against the backdrop of Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian imports. Half of these tariffs were justified by Trump citing India’s oil imports from Russia.
Trump has also repeatedly accused India of imposing “the highest tariffs in the world” on American products, often pointing to Harley Davidson motorcycles as an example. “We get along with India very well, but for many years it was a one-sided relationship… India was charging us tremendous tariffs,” Trump remarked recently.
These trade measures, effective from August 27, have become a point of tension at a time when India is increasingly central to the global economic and strategic order.
A Golf-Buddy with Influence: Why Trump Listens to Stubb
Stubb’s words carry an outsized importance because of his personal relationship with Trump. Earlier this year, the Finnish President spent a marathon seven-hour golf session with the US President at Mar-a-Lago, cementing an unusually close bond.
According to analysts, Stubb is one of the few European leaders especially from a small country who has managed to gain unique access to US President Donald Trump. “Among small countries, there is no equivalent whatsoever. (Stubb) has gained unique access to Trump that no one else from a smaller European country has ever had,” said Jan Hallenberg of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs.
This proximity gives Stubb’s warnings an added layer of credibility, since his advice is likely to be taken seriously by Trump, who has often ignored mainstream European voices.
Global Stakes: The India Factor in World Order
Stubb also accompanied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House earlier this year, reinforcing his role as a key diplomatic intermediary. His recent remarks underline the centrality of India in the emerging multipolar world.
By urging the West to treat India and the Global South with respect, Stubb echoed a growing reality: India is no longer a peripheral player but a pivotal force shaping trade, security, and global governance. For the US and Europe, ignoring this shift could weaken their position in the face of China-Russia partnerships that continue to grow.
Why the West Cannot Ignore India
The Finnish President’s intervention is a stark reminder that India is not just another country caught in tariff disputes it is a strategic pillar in the new global order. Stubb’s close ties with US President Donald Trump make his words particularly significant at a time when Washington is recalibrating its approach to both Asia and Europe.
If the US continues to pursue a transactional, punitive approach towards India, it risks alienating a vital partner and strengthening rival alliances. As Stubb warned, without dignity and cooperation, the West will lose the long game of influence in the Global South.