New Delhi, Jun 23: The Congress on Tuesday raised strong objections to the proposed India-US trade deal, urging the Centre not to move forward with any agreement that could adversely affect the country’s economic and agricultural interests. The remarks came as US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer arrived in New Delhi for discussions aimed at advancing bilateral trade negotiations.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticised the government’s approach to the talks and said India should carefully assess the implications of any agreement before making commitments. He argued that the current framework of the proposed arrangement appears disproportionately beneficial to the United States and could place significant pressure on key sectors of the Indian economy.
In a statement, Ramesh referred to the trade understanding announced following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump earlier this year. According to him, the understanding included tariff concessions from the American side, while India was expected to substantially lower duties on several agricultural and industrial imports and increase purchases from the United States over the next five years.
The Congress leader noted that developments in the United States have altered the trade landscape since those discussions took place. He pointed to a ruling by the US Supreme Court that questioned the legal basis of President Trump’s reciprocal tariff strategy, arguing that the tariff benefits initially highlighted in the bilateral understanding now face uncertainty.
Ramesh further stated that the United States has imposed temporary tariffs on multiple trading partners and launched investigations into alleged unfair trade practices involving several countries, including India. He claimed that the ongoing review process has created uncertainty regarding future trade relations and tariff structures.
Expressing concern over the potential impact on domestic agriculture, the Congress leader warned that farmers in several states could face increased competition if market access commitments are expanded without adequate safeguards. He maintained that any agreement should prioritise the welfare of Indian producers and ensure reciprocal advantages.
The opposition party also questioned the reliability of long-term assurances from Washington, citing instances where the United States has considered or imposed tariff measures on countries with which it already has trade arrangements. According to Ramesh, India should seek stronger guarantees before entering into any binding commitments.
Drawing comparisons with other nations, he said countries have shown caution in their trade engagements with the United States and suggested that India adopt a similarly measured approach. He stressed that trade negotiations should be guided by economic interests and strategic considerations rather than political goodwill.
The remarks come at a crucial stage in bilateral economic discussions. Greer’s visit is aimed at carrying forward negotiations on an interim trade arrangement that has been under discussion since the leaders of the two countries outlined their intention to deepen economic cooperation earlier this year.
Trade relations between India and the United States have gained momentum in recent years, with both sides seeking greater market access, investment opportunities and supply chain partnerships. Officials from both countries have expressed optimism about reaching an agreement that could strengthen commercial ties and boost bilateral trade volumes.
During a recent interaction on the sidelines of the G-7 summit, President Trump indicated that negotiations were progressing positively and suggested that both nations were close to finalising a trade framework. However, differences remain on several issues, including tariffs, market access and sector-specific commitments.
As negotiations continue, the debate over the proposed India-US trade deal is expected to intensify, with political parties, industry groups and agricultural stakeholders closely monitoring the outcome of the discussions. The government has yet to respond in detail to the concerns raised by the Congress regarding the potential impact of the agreement.