Jairam Ramesh, left, and PM Modi NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday stepped up his attack on the Centre over the proposed India-US interim trade agreement, saying it was reflective of “Abki baar Trump se haar” and should be put in “cold storage.”His remarks came amid confusion following a US Supreme Court verdict striking down President Donald Trump’s earlier global tariffs.He said the terms of the framework must be renegotiated and the clause on import liberalisation, especially of agricultural products, scrapped, arguing that India had conceded without adequate gains. Jairam Ramesh Questions Modi Govt On US Trade Deal, Tariffs And Russia Oil Claims “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a slogan in Houston in 2019 — ‘Abki baar Trump Sarkaar’ but this framework for an interim agreement is proof of ‘Abki baar Trump se haar’,” he told PTI.Ramesh pointed out that the framework allows either side to modify commitments in case of changes, and said India had the right to revise its obligations after Trump altered tariffs. “The first commitment we have made is to reduce or eliminate tariffs on a wide range of food and agricultural products. Our demand to the PM is to put this in cold storage,” he said.According to him, India had committed to eliminate or cut import duties on all US industrial goods and a wide range of American food and agricultural products — a provision that should be changed under the joint statement. He warned that soybean, maize, fruits and nuts, and cotton farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh would be directly affected.“Our second question is that when the PM, the commerce minister (Piyush Goyal), knew from December that any time (now) the Supreme Court verdict could come, many believed that it could be struck down. Why did you hurriedly strike a deal when you knew the verdict could go against Trump,” he said.“I hope in light of the massive confusion that surrounds this issue, this joint statement is put on cold storage, we renegotiate the terms, this is a one-sided deal. This will be detrimental to the interests of lakhs and lakhs of farmers in different states of the country,” Ramesh added.Questioning the timing of the announcement, he asked what happened on February 2 that led the prime minister to “force” President Trump to announce the trade deal. “This is directly linked to Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s attack in Parliament on the PM on the failures on the external security front. So this announcement of the deal was part of managing the news and the headlines,” he alleged.Sharpening his campaign, Ramesh said the Congress would organise a “Maha Kisan Maha Chaupal” in multiple states to mobilise farmers and discuss the potential fallout of the evolving trade deal.“We’ll have a Maha Kisan Maha Chaupal in Bhopal, in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, on 7th March, and later in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. We’re in touch with farmers’ organisations. We’ll work with them too. Three black laws were withdrawn. It took 14-15 months, but PM Modi was forced to withdraw them. Prime Minister does ‘taareef’, while Trump keeps imposing ‘tariffs’. I’m telling you this based on President Trump’s statements,” he told ANI.The remarks came days after the US Supreme Court struck down most of Trump’s sweeping tariff measures, ruling 6-3 that the administration exceeded its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose broad import tariffs. The Court held that the power to levy taxes rests primarily with Congress.Following the ruling, Trump announced a new 10 per cent global tariff on all countries under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as a temporary import surcharge of up to 15 per cent for 150 days to address balance-of-payments deficits. He later raised it to the “fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” effective immediately.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJairam Ramesh Questions Modi Govt On US Trade Deal, Tariffs And Russia Oil Claims“World Will See AI Differently”: PM Modi On AI Impact Summit In Mann Ki Baat”With India, It’s Different” Lula Hits Out At Global Powers, Eyes $20B India-Brazil Trade MilestoneLula Visit Marks “Defining Moment”, Goyal Pushes For Deeper India-Brazil Business TiesLula Calls It A “Very Promising Day” As India-Brazil Ties Move Towards Stronger Economic Partnership“5, 6, 7… 11?” Donald Trump Keeps Upgrading His India-Pak Jet CountTrump Raises Worldwide Tariffs From 10% To 15% A Day After Supreme Court Ruling’We Will Continue To Fight’: Brazil President Lula Backs India’s UN Security Council Reform Push‘Swayed By Foreign Interests’: Trump Slams SCOTUS; Attacks US Firms, Attorneys With India TiesExplained: How US tariffs on India evolved amid Supreme Court ruling and trade disputes123Photostories’The White Lotus’ to ‘Baywatch’: Top 5 Alexandra Daddario movies and shows to watch on OTTFrom Orchid Mantis to Stick Insect: 6 creatures that look just like plants9 South Indian non-vegetarian dishes that are a must-try‘Being Gordon Ramsay’: 5 unexpected confessions Gordon Ramsay made in the new docuseries’Bridgerton: Season 4, Part 2,’ ‘The Bluff’:Top upcoming OTT releases to watch this week9 sweet potato dishes for a wholesome Sunday lunchDelhi-Meerut RRTS: Delhi To Meerut In Less Than An Hour! 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Jairam Ramesh, left, and PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday stepped up his attack on the Centre over the proposed India-US interim trade agreement, saying it was reflective of “Abki baar Trump se haar” and should be put in “cold storage.”His remarks came amid confusion following a US Supreme Court verdict striking down President Donald Trump’s earlier global tariffs.He said the terms of the framework must be renegotiated and the clause on import liberalisation, especially of agricultural products, scrapped, arguing that India had conceded without adequate gains.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a slogan in Houston in 2019 — ‘Abki baar Trump Sarkaar’ but this framework for an interim agreement is proof of ‘Abki baar Trump se haar’,” he told PTI.Ramesh pointed out that the framework allows either side to modify commitments in case of changes, and said India had the right to revise its obligations after Trump altered tariffs. “The first commitment we have made is to reduce or eliminate tariffs on a wide range of food and agricultural products. Our demand to the PM is to put this in cold storage,” he said.According to him, India had committed to eliminate or cut import duties on all US industrial goods and a wide range of American food and agricultural products — a provision that should be changed under the joint statement. He warned that soybean, maize, fruits and nuts, and cotton farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh would be directly affected.“Our second question is that when the PM, the commerce minister (Piyush Goyal), knew from December that any time (now) the Supreme Court verdict could come, many believed that it could be struck down. Why did you hurriedly strike a deal when you knew the verdict could go against Trump,” he said.“I hope in light of the massive confusion that surrounds this issue, this joint statement is put on cold storage, we renegotiate the terms, this is a one-sided deal. This will be detrimental to the interests of lakhs and lakhs of farmers in different states of the country,” Ramesh added.Questioning the timing of the announcement, he asked what happened on February 2 that led the prime minister to “force” President Trump to announce the trade deal. “This is directly linked to Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s attack in Parliament on the PM on the failures on the external security front. So this announcement of the deal was part of managing the news and the headlines,” he alleged.Sharpening his campaign, Ramesh said the Congress would organise a “Maha Kisan Maha Chaupal” in multiple states to mobilise farmers and discuss the potential fallout of the evolving trade deal.“We’ll have a Maha Kisan Maha Chaupal in Bhopal, in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, on 7th March, and later in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. We’re in touch with farmers’ organisations. We’ll work with them too. Three black laws were withdrawn. It took 14-15 months, but PM Modi was forced to withdraw them. Prime Minister does ‘taareef’, while Trump keeps imposing ‘tariffs’. I’m telling you this based on President Trump’s statements,” he told ANI.The remarks came days after the US Supreme Court struck down most of Trump’s sweeping tariff measures, ruling 6-3 that the administration exceeded its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose broad import tariffs. The Court held that the power to levy taxes rests primarily with Congress.Following the ruling, Trump announced a new 10 per cent global tariff on all countries under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as a temporary import surcharge of up to 15 per cent for 150 days to address balance-of-payments deficits. He later raised it to the “fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” effective immediately.
