Washington: US President Donald Trump’s administration deployed tariffs not only as trade measures but also to promote the interests of select American companies and push foreign governments on unrelated national security and policy issues, the Washington Post has reported, citing internal government documents.
According to the report, tariff threats and relief were tied to objectives ranging from persuading countries to buy US weapons and curb Chinese influence to changing energy imports and easing regulations for American corporations.
India, Taiwan and Indonesia were among the nations pressed to increase defence spending and purchase US military equipment, while India was also warned of steep tariffs unless it halted imports of Russian oil. In other instances, Israel and Australia were urged to limit Chinese access to strategic ports, and Cambodia was offered tariff benefits in return for expanded US naval access.
The documents also show that companies such as Chevron and Elon Musk’s Starlink were backed in efforts to secure favourable foreign regulatory environments, including lifting of licensing restrictions.
“This is not what we typically discuss at the negotiating table,” former US trade negotiator Wendy Cutler was quoted as saying.
Analysts say the strategy has had wider geopolitical effects, with punitive tariffs on India and Brazil — both at 50 per cent — pushing them toward greater cooperation with the BRICS grouping.
The Washington Post said the pattern reflected a significant expansion of tariff use as a tool to achieve political, corporate and security objectives abroad.
