Congress MP Manish Tewari has launched a sharp critique of the BJP-led Central government after the US imposed 26% ‘reciprocal tariffs’ on India. Tewari termed the development an “abject failure” of the ongoing trade negotiations between the two nations.
In his scathing remarks, the Congress leader accused the government of lacking assertiveness and failing to protect India’s trade interests.
“It represents an abject failure of the negotiations that were taking place between the US and the government of India. The US has imposed tariffs, expelled our students, and cancelled visas without any provocation, and the government is absolutely silent… The government needs to develop a spine and stand up to the US,” Tewari told ANI.
Congress MP Randeep Surjewala also criticized the Centre and questioned the Modi government over its “silence” and “inaction” on the tariff imposition.
In a social media post on X, Surjewala wrote, “The +27% Tariffs by U.S on India are effective Wednesday, April 3rd, 2025! Electronics & Communication, Pharmaceuticals, Machinery & Computer, Chemicals, Apparel, Yarn & Carpets, Fish, Meat & Processed Seafood, Gold & Jewellery and many other sectors to be impacted. Where is Modi Govt? Where are Finance & Commerce Ministers? Why is PM silent? Why are they ‘missing in action’ again? #USTariffWar.”
US President Donald Trump announced new import tariffs on Wednesday (local time), outlining the rates to be imposed on countries worldwide, with India facing a 26% tariff.
Despite calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “great friend,” Trump justified the tariffs by stating that India charges the US 52% while the US charges India “almost nothing.”
Speaking at the “Make America Wealthy Again” event, Trump remarked, “India is very, very tough. The Prime Minister just left and is a great friend of mine, but you are not treating us right. They charge us 52%, and we charge them almost nothing…”
Trump also cited disparities in tariff rates on motorcycles, pointing out that while the US charges only 2.4%, Thailand imposes 60%, India 70%, Vietnam 75%, and others even higher.
Additionally, Trump announced that a 25% tariff would be imposed on all foreign-made automobiles, citing the negative impact of trade imbalances on American industries and national security.
“Such horrendous imbalances have devastated our industrial base and put our national security at risk. I don’t blame these other countries at all for this calamity. I blame former presidents and past leaders who weren’t doing their job… Effective at midnight, we will impose a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles,” he stated.
The new US import tariffs for major countries include China (34%), the European Union (20%), Vietnam (46%), Taiwan (32%), Japan (24%), India (26%), the United Kingdom (10%), Bangladesh (37%), Pakistan (29%), Sri Lanka (44%), and Israel (17%).
The escalating trade tensions have sparked concerns over the potential impact on India’s economy, with opposition leaders demanding that the government take immediate steps to safeguard national interests.
