Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 25% additional import duty, plus penalties, on Indian goods, calling it “completely unreasonable” amid ongoing trade negotiations. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament in New Delhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram warned that the tariffs, effective immediately, could escalate to 35% or 45% due to India’s purchase of Russian oil and gas, threatening to derail months of bilateral trade talks and harm India’s economy.

Tharoor, a vocal supporter of the Narendra Modi government on this issue, estimated a potential half-percent GDP loss, with India’s $87-90 billion export market to the US at risk. “America is a big market for us, but a dramatic drop will hurt,” he said, urging Indian negotiators to resist US pressure while prioritizing national interests, particularly the livelihoods of 700 million agriculture-dependent Indians. He defended India’s average 17% tariff rate, arguing that US goods are often uncompetitively priced compared to other suppliers. “If Trump thinks he can flood our markets, he must look at his own prices,” Tharoor remarked.

Reiterating that the US stance is unreasonable, Tharoor emphasized limited flexibility in negotiations. “We can’t afford to buckle under,” he said, wishing India’s negotiators “good luck and courage” to safeguard national priorities. The escalating trade dispute underscores tensions as India navigates its economic relationship with the US while balancing domestic needs.

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