Congress leaders on Tuesday attacked the India-US trade deal, describing it as “economically unequal” and questioning why key elements of the deal were being disclosed by American officials. The BJP, however, hailed it as a milestone that would expand opportunities for people.
Congress leaders attack US-India trade deal, BJP applaudsPriyank Kharge, Minister of State for Electronics, likened the deal to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), arguing that the government is celebrating the tariff cuts while ignoring what it portrays as structural imbalances. He said that the US tariff on Indian goods has been reduced to 18%, while American goods are entering India at zero duty.
“Indian government has become a madhouse. It is nothing but GST Bachao Utsav, which the government celebrated so much. First you implement high GST, then you reduce it after 8 years, then you celebrate the reduction. Similarly, the US tariff has been reduced to 18%, so you are celebrating a reduction when there is zero … Government of India knows very well what tariffs it is setting. I don’t see any sense in that,” Kharg said.
Industries Minister MB Patil said the tariff reduction could benefit the industry but raised questions over whether India has made any commitments on buying Russian oil. “We all know that the US tariff has been reduced by 18%, but no one knows what is behind it. We do not know if there was any commitment from the Prime Minister not to buy Russian oil. It is good for the industry that the tariff has been reduced,” he said.
US officials said the deal would allow greater agricultural exports to India, while tariffs on Indian goods entering the US stood at 18%.
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The BJP’s Karnataka leadership, in contrast, described the agreement as a milestone. State party president BY Vijayendra said it would strengthen “Make in India” and “Self-reliant India” initiatives while expanding opportunities for farmers, small businesses, entrepreneurs and skilled workers.
“The India-US trade agreement marks a transformative moment for our economy. With tariffs reduced to just 18, this landmark agreement opens up unprecedented opportunities for our farmers, MSMEs, entrepreneurs and skilled workers and will also strengthen our ‘Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. A game-changer, Prime Minister for Exports and Economic Growth, Narendra Modi wrote.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai termed the agreement as an important step in the relationship between the two countries and said it would open up global opportunities in technology and development for farmers, startups and small industries.
