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Peter Navarro Slams India's 'Keyboard Minions' After X Community Notes Fact-Check His Anti-India Posts
Peter Navarro, Counselor to the President of the United States, with US President Donald Trump.
White House trade advisor and Trump loyalist Peter Navarro has intensified his criticism of India, accusing the country's online users of being 'keyboard minions' who are hijacking X's community notes feature.
This outburst came after several of Navarro's posts on the platform, formerly known as Twitter, were fact-checked for claims regarding India's trade practices and purchases of Russian oil.
Navarro, a key aide to US President Donald Trump, initially gave statements about India's high tariffs, labelling the nation the 'Maharaja' of tariffs and alleging that these policies are costing American jobs.
He further claimed that India's buying of discounted Russian oil amounts to 'blood money' funding Russia's war in Ukraine.
However, X's community notes quickly debunked these assertions, noting that India's actions are legal and sovereign, with oil purchases, though in small quantity, predating the conflict.
Undeterred, Navarro doubled down in a multi-part X thread on 9 September, warning that the trade disputes 'won't end well' for India.
He extended his attack to BRICS nations, calling them 'vampires' dependent on trade imbalances.
This follows a poll by Navarro on X that backfired, with most respondents rejecting his viewpoint.
Meanwhile, despite Navarro's tirade, President Trump has signaled ongoing negotiations to resolve US-India trade frictions, expressing confidence in a resolution.
It is worth noting that Navarro's comments come amid broader US criticisms of India's energy trade, which he claims solely benefits Russia's war machine.
Fact-checks emphasised that India imported Russian oil, albeit in small quantity, before the Ukraine invasion, countering Navarro's narrative.
