Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Friday submitted a Suspension of Business notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha, calling for an urgent discussion on the 25% tariffs imposed by the United States on key Indian exports.
In his letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General, Singh described the issue as “serious and urgent,” with deep implications for India’s economic stability, trade policy, and strategic autonomy.
He noted that the US tariffs—set to take effect from August 2025—target major Indian export sectors including auto components, electronics, jewellery, textiles, and processed food.
Singh also raised concerns over punitive measures linked to India’s defence and energy ties with Russia, claiming that they had triggered “massive economic instability” and investor panic. He alleged that the stock markets suffered a ₹25.5 lakh crore loss within minutes of the US tariff announcement by President Donald Trump.
“This is not just a trade issue. It impacts millions of MSMEs, workers, and the strategic decision-making of our nation. The punitive nature of these tariffs, especially linking them to India’s sovereign defence choices, is deeply troubling,” Singh wrote in his motion.
Calling for a complete suspension of regular House proceedings, Singh urged an immediate discussion on the matter, warning of long-term consequences for India’s foreign relations and economic independence.
Government’s Response
The issue had already been addressed in Parliament earlier by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who clarified the timeline of the US tariff escalation. Goyal noted that:
- A 10% baseline reciprocal duty was imposed by the US from April 2025.
- An additional 16% tariff was later added for India, totalling 26%.
- The full rollout of country-specific tariffs was delayed twice and finally came into effect on August 1, 2025.
He reassured the House that the government is actively working to protect the interests of Indian exporters, MSMEs, and workers, and emphasized India’s commitment to self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) and the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision.
“The government will take all necessary steps to safeguard our national interest,” Goyal said.
President Trump’s announcement of the tariff hike also included penalties on countries importing Russian oil, a move interpreted by Indian lawmakers as an infringement on India’s strategic autonomy and bilateral relationships.
Singh’s demand has added to mounting pressure on the government to hold a full-fledged debate on India’s response to the evolving US-India trade tensions.
