Jairam Ramesh Criticises Trump’s Tariff Policies, Questions Modi Government

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised Donald Trump’s tariff policies and questioned India’s trade stance. He challenged claims that India agreed to reduce tariffs on US imports and urged the Modi government to clarify its position in Parliament amid ongoing trade negotiations.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has criticised former US President Donald Trump for making tariffs a key global issue and questioned India's stance on trade negotiations. Trump recently claimed that India had agreed to reduce tariffs on US imports after he repeatedly slammed the country for imposing high duties.

In a post on X, Ramesh highlighted the historical significance of tariffs in the US, stating that they were the main revenue source until the 1913 introduction of federal income tax. He also mentioned that Edwin Seligman, a key advocate for income tax reforms in the US, was a mentor to Dr B.R. Ambedkar during his time at Columbia University.

Ramesh also took aim at Trump’s trade policies, arguing that imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries with high duties disrupts global trade rules. He remarked, “‘You tariff, I tariff’ is not how international trade works. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is not the World Trump Organization.”

He further questioned whether India had indeed agreed to lower tariffs, as Trump claimed. Referring to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s ongoing trade discussions in Washington DC, he urged the Modi government to clarify its position. “Are Indian farmers and manufacturers being compromised? The Prime Minister must address Parliament on this matter,” he wrote.

Also Read: Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested in ₹17.29 Crore Gold Smuggling Case

The remarks come amid escalating trade tensions as Trump pushes for stricter policies on international tariffs. With the US presidential elections approaching, trade issues are expected to remain a focal point in diplomatic discussions.