Great comparison — there are indeed **parallels between Trump-era U.S. protectionism** and **India's post-independence economic policies**, especially under **Indira Gandhi**. Let’s break it down into a table format for easier comparison:

| **Aspect** | **Trump-Era U.S. Tariffs (2017–2020, resumed in 2024–2025)** | **India’s Protectionism Post-Independence (esp. Indira Gandhi era)** |

|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **Core Philosophy** | *"America First"*, economic nationalism, protect U.S. industries | *Swadeshi* (self-reliance), socialism, distrust of foreign capital |

| **Tariffs / Trade Barriers** | High tariffs on Chinese goods, solar panels, steel, aluminum, tech; new 2024 tariffs on EVs and chips | High import duties, quantitative restrictions on imports, foreign exchange controls |

| **View on Globalization** | Skeptical; sees global trade as unfair to U.S. workers | Suspicious of MNCs; feared neocolonialism and economic dependence |

| **Approach to Foreign Business** | Increasing restrictions (e.g., TikTok bans, scrutiny of Chinese investments) | Hostile at times — Coca-Cola was forced to exit in 1977, and IBM left due to regulatory pressure |

| **Nationalization Efforts** | Not outright nationalization, but stronger state control (e.g., tariffs to revive domestic manufacturing) | Aggressive: Indira Gandhi nationalized banks (1969), coal, insurance, and Air India |

| **Strategic Sectors Focus** | Semiconductors, defense, energy, EVs — seen as vital to national security | Heavy industries, oil, banking, and aviation were seen as key to sovereignty |

| **Labor & Populist Rhetoric** | Pro-union rhetoric, though with limited labor policy change; messaging targets working-class Americans | Left-leaning populism: slogans like "Garibi Hatao" (Remove Poverty); support for public sector employment |

| **Economic Outcomes** | Mixed — some jobs revived, but retaliatory tariffs, inflation, and supply chain problems emerged | Stunted industrial growth, inefficiencies, "License Raj" bureaucracy, and weak export base until 1991 reforms |

| **Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)** | Declined from some countries due to uncertainty and restrictions | Severely limited; foreign equity caps were tight, and approvals were slow or denied outright |

### Similarities:

- **Distrust of foreign competition**: Both prioritized **domestic industries** and saw global trade as threatening.

- **Populist economic nationalism**: Messaging emphasized **self-sufficiency**, **national pride**, and **protection of workers**.

- **Protectionist policies** as a response to **economic challenges** (deindustrialization in the U.S., poverty and colonial legacy in India).

- Both had **negative consequences on investment climate**, though India's was more extreme and lasted longer.

### Key Differences:

- **Degree of state control**: India went further by **nationalizing entire industries** and imposing a **license-based economy**.

- **Market structure**: U.S. remained capitalist, while India under Indira leaned more toward **socialist planning**.

- **Motivations**: India was reacting to **colonial trauma and poverty**, while Trumpism responds to **perceived globalization harms and industrial decline**.

So while Trump’s policies are nowhere near as interventionist as India’s were in the 60s–80s, the **underlying populist distrust of foreign economic influence** is a shared theme.

Want me to break this down into a short essay or a slide deck format?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5707236&forum_id=2).#48826652)

US is gonna go down as having "Birdshit Rate of Growth" cause of Trumpism.

Another thing that happened with excess tariffs in India is that even if domestic comps manufactured they wld have lower standards cause they knew they had a protected market. You already see this with US auto comps since they dont have to worry abt Gorgeous Chink EV's in US. It will just get worse, Ford will make even more garbage shit but ppl will have no choice buying it.

Then when these US comps fail and have to close factories Trump will nationalize them. You then can run it as a corrupt state owned enterprise, Ivanka can be CEO and Jared's Jew friends can get all the contracts.

It will be GREAT!

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5707236&forum_id=2).#48826664)

HK only became rich becauase it was the gateway to mainland China during the opium war

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5707236&forum_id=2).#48826665)