In a fiery rebuttal to US President Donald Trump’s decision to slap an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday demanded that India strike back with equal force.
No Country Can Threaten India Like This”
Speaking just hours after Trump’s executive order was signed, Tharoor minced no words: It’s not acceptable for any country to try and bully us like this. If they go ahead with this, we should also impose a 50% tariff on US exports.”
The MP warned that India’s $90 billion trade relationship with the United States could take a serious hit if such aggressive tariffs remain in place. If prices of Indian goods in the US go up by 50%, buyers will start questioning why they should purchase our products,” he said.
Trump’s Move & The Russia Angle
Trump’s order — issued on Wednesday — raises total US tariffs on Indian goods to 50%.
The White House claims the move is in retaliation for India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, but the decision has triggered fears of a sharp downturn in bilateral trade and diplomatic relations.
Tharoor Calls Out “Double Standards”
Tharoor accused Washington of selective enforcement of its sanctions policy, pointing to China’s treatment as an example: They’ve given the Chinese a 90-day exemption from these tariffs, even though China imports far more Russian oil than India does.”
He added that the US itself imports critical materials like uranium and palladium from Russia, raising questions about the fairness of the crackdown on India.
From Allies to Tense Partners?
For years, India–US ties have been described as strategic and friendly, but Tharoor suggested this latest move signals a serious shift in tone: This is not a particularly friendly move from a country we considered an ally. We expected a more understanding approach from this administration.”
Calls for a Strong Countermeasure
Tharoor predicted growing domestic pressure on New Delhi to hit back with reciprocal tariffs on American goods. We should not take this lying down. The message must be clear — India will respond in kind when unfairly targeted.”
A Brewing Trade Showdown?
With both economies heavily invested in bilateral trade, the coming weeks could determine whether this dispute spirals into a full-blown trade war or forces both sides back to the negotiating table.
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