New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- I see plenty of commentary in the Indian media about how the US tariff proposals are unfair. Some even point out that China imports more Russian crude than India. And of course China's trade surplus with the US is several times that of India.

Why then is the US turning the screws on India?

This is only the latest symptom of the relative bargaining power of countries. International bargaining, especially with someone like Trump, is only about relative strength, not 'fairness.' And China has worked over the years with a long-term focus on strengthening itself as a rival to the biggest economies in the world, while simultaneously making itself indispensable to their working.

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