US, Feb 21 : Following the US Supreme Court decision striking down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, the Congress party on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, alleging that it rushed into a “one-sided, anti-India trade deal” with Washington.
The Supreme Court invalidated Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs, which at times reached 50 per cent for Indian imports, ruling that the President had exceeded powers granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In response, Trump announced a 10 per cent global tariff.
Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized the government for making a “late-night call” to Washington on February 2, questioning why India did not wait for the court’s judgment. He warned that hasty decisions had cornered India into a trade framework heavily favoring the US.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram sought clarity on the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on India-US trade arrangements. He noted that if Trump’s tariffs were invalidated, the two countries could revert to the pre-April 2, 2025, status quo and questioned what would happen to concessions India had made under the framework.
Randeep Surjewala, Congress general secretary, demanded a review of the trade framework, highlighting that Trump’s subsequent tariff measures under various trade acts appeared inapplicable to India. He asked whether these provisions could be justified and whether the government would consider exiting the deal to protect farmers, small businesses, and national interests.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the February 2 trade announcement as a product of “desperation,” suggesting the government acted hastily to secure a deal before the Supreme Court ruling. He argued that waiting even 18 more days could have safeguarded India’s economic and strategic interests.
The party’s criticism underscores growing opposition to the trade framework, highlighting concerns over concessions, timing, and the potential impact on Indian farmers, businesses, and the broader economy.