David Goldwyn, a prominent global energy and geopolitical expert and former senior official in the US Department of Energy, has strongly criticised Peter Navarro, Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing under former US President Donald Trump, calling him a “fringe diplomat” who is being allowed to launch unwarranted attacks on India.
In an interview with ANI, Goldwyn described Navarro as “ill-informed and unserious,” arguing that his frequent television appearances serve more as a “public relations bullying campaign” than serious policy guidance.
“He is an unserious person and ill-informed. And if the president’s taking his advice, then he is ill-served. I think we will know negotiations are serious and headed towards de-escalation when Navarro disappears from TV,” Goldwyn said.
Goldwyn further emphasised that Navarro operates outside his official scope, noting that he holds no cabinet position and ranks low in the trade negotiation hierarchy. “Peter Navarro is an insult to wolf warrior diplomats. He is an economist, not a diplomat, and yet he is allowed to speak far beyond his brief. In trade talks, he comes in fourth after the Commerce Secretary, the US Trade Representative, and the Treasury Secretary,” he added.
Navarro has repeatedly targeted India in recent weeks, accusing New Delhi of profiteering from discounted Russian oil and blaming Indian tariffs for job losses in the US. In his latest social media post, Navarro alleged:
“India’s highest tariffs cost U.S. jobs. India buys Russian oil purely to profit—revenues feed the Russian war machine. Ukrainians/Russians die. U.S. taxpayers shell out more. India can’t handle truth/spins @washpo Leftist fake news.”
Previously, he has gone further, branding India a “laundromat for the Kremlin” and making casteist remarks, including accusing “Brahmins of profiteering” from Russian crude purchases.
Goldwyn also criticised the Trump administration’s sanctions on Indian imports of Russian oil, calling them “deeply hypocritical.” He highlighted that while Indian goods were hit with steep tariffs—50% in total after successive hikes in August—tariffs on Chinese goods were suspended despite China being one of the biggest importers of Russian oil.
“It is a deeply hypocritical policy. There is no question about that,” Goldwyn said.
The escalation in tariffs and rhetoric has strained Washington–New Delhi ties, with analysts warning that such inflammatory language could further derail bilateral relations.
