The Crossbill Team
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Saturday (March 8) raised concerns over former US President Donald Trump’s claim that India had agreed to reduce tariffs, questioning whether the Narendra Modi-led government was compromising the interests of Indian farmers and manufacturers.
Ramesh pointed to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Washington and demanded transparency on any trade agreements being negotiated.
"The Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington DC to talk trade with the Americans. Meanwhile President Trump says this. What has the Modi Government agreed to? Are the interests of Indian farmers and of Indian manufacturing being compromised? The PM must take Parliament into confidence when it resumes on March 10th," Ramesh wrote on social media platform X.
The Congress party also sharply criticized the reported tariff cut, calling Trump’s remarks an “insult” to India.
The party accused the Modi government of making compromises to appease Trump, questioning whether national interests had been put at stake.
"The US President claims he is 'exposing' India—this is an insult to our nation. Trump has also suggested that Narendra Modi reduced tariffs out of fear of him. The Prime Minister must clarify what compromises were made to appease Trump. Why was the nation's honour put at stake?" the party said in a statement on X in Hindi.
Congress further demanded a response from the BJP government and called for an all-party meeting to discuss the matter.
"This is a serious issue, and the Modi government must answer the nation. An all-party meeting should be convened to discuss the matter and ensure that national interest remains paramount," the party stated.
Trump, in a recent address from the White House, had taken aim at India’s trade policies, calling its tariffs "massive" and claiming it was nearly impossible to sell American goods in the country. He asserted that India had agreed to slash tariffs following pressure from his administration.
"India charges us massive tariffs—massive. You can’t even sell anything in India. But now they want to cut their tariffs way down because someone is finally exposing them for what they have done," Trump said.
This development comes as the US prepares to introduce reciprocal tariffs on countries imposing high levies on American goods, with the new policy set to take effect on April 2.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that his administration would not tolerate unfair trade practices and has targeted nations, including India, for their high tariff regimes.
Ramesh pointed to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Washington and demanded transparency on any trade agreements being negotiated.
"The Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington DC to talk trade with the Americans. Meanwhile President Trump says this. What has the Modi Government agreed to? Are the interests of Indian farmers and of Indian manufacturing being compromised? The PM must take Parliament into confidence when it resumes on March 10th," Ramesh wrote on social media platform X.
The Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington DC to talk trade with the Americans. Meanwhile President Trump says this. What has the Modi Government agreed to? Are the interests of Indian farmers and of Indian manufacturing being compromised? The PM must take Parliament… pic.twitter.com/K625e8vGrM
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 8, 2025
The Congress party also sharply criticized the reported tariff cut, calling Trump’s remarks an “insult” to India.
The party accused the Modi government of making compromises to appease Trump, questioning whether national interests had been put at stake.
"The US President claims he is 'exposing' India—this is an insult to our nation. Trump has also suggested that Narendra Modi reduced tariffs out of fear of him. The Prime Minister must clarify what compromises were made to appease Trump. Why was the nation's honour put at stake?" the party said in a statement on X in Hindi.
अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति का कहना है कि वो भारत को बेनकाब कर रहे हैं.
— Congress (@INCIndia) March 8, 2025
ये भारत का अपमान है.
ट्रंप ने ये भी कहा कि उनसे डरकर नरेंद्र मोदी ने टैरिफ कम कर दिए.
• नरेंद्र मोदी को बताना चाहिए कि ट्रंप को खुश करने के लिए क्या समझौते किए गए?
• देश के सम्मान को गिरवी क्यों रखा गया?
ये… pic.twitter.com/saJOxB1sjo
Congress further demanded a response from the BJP government and called for an all-party meeting to discuss the matter.
"This is a serious issue, and the Modi government must answer the nation. An all-party meeting should be convened to discuss the matter and ensure that national interest remains paramount," the party stated.
Trump, in a recent address from the White House, had taken aim at India’s trade policies, calling its tariffs "massive" and claiming it was nearly impossible to sell American goods in the country. He asserted that India had agreed to slash tariffs following pressure from his administration.
"India charges us massive tariffs—massive. You can’t even sell anything in India. But now they want to cut their tariffs way down because someone is finally exposing them for what they have done," Trump said.
This development comes as the US prepares to introduce reciprocal tariffs on countries imposing high levies on American goods, with the new policy set to take effect on April 2.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that his administration would not tolerate unfair trade practices and has targeted nations, including India, for their high tariff regimes.
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