Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Friday said US President Donald Trump misplayed his hand with India on the tariff issue.

“I am a supporter of President Trump, but I think he misplayed his hand with India recently when he imposed those punitive tariffs — particularly given that other countries, especially China, are the ones cheating and did not face similar treatment,” Abbott said, referring to Trump’s decision to impose 50 per cent tariffs on India, including 25 per cent specifically on the purchase of Russian oil.

Abbott said the US move would serve as a temporary setback for New Delhi and hoped it could be remedied very quickly by Washington.

“I think it is a serious setback, but given the fundamental community of interests and values that India does have with the dem

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