Unions, farmers call nationwide protest against US tariffs, UK trade deal on August 13

A joint platform of 10 central trade unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (CTUs-SKM) on Monday announced a nationwide protest on August 13 against US President Donald Trump's recent tariff threats and the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).

In a statement, the platform condemned Trump’s proposal to impose 25 percent tariffs on Indian goods and penal taxes related to India’s continued oil trade with Russia. The unions termed these actions as “blatant economic coercion” and called on citizens to resist them.

“CTUs-SKM calls upon all farmers, workers, students, and patriotic citizens to join the nationwide day of resistance on August 13, 2025, with various mass actions like tractor and motorcycle rallies, protest demonstrations, public gatherings, and other forms of protest as decided by different platforms and partner organisations,” the statement said.


The groups demanded that the Indian government firmly reject the tariff threats and assert its right to trade freely with all countries, including Russia.

They also raised objections to the India-UK CETA, calling for its immediate review and revision. All negotiations on a US-India trade deal must be suspended to prevent “further corporate exploitation,” they said.

The platform further called for complete transparency in future trade agreements, demanding that all deals be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation. The statement criticised the current approach, likening it to historical colonialism.

“The East India Company colonized India through trade -- today, CETA and US trade deals are the new instruments of corporate imperialism,” it alleged.

According to the organisers, the planned protests aim to defend India’s sovereignty and economic independence.

“On August 13, farmers and workers will rise in defense of sovereignty and freedom, sending a clear message,” the statement said.

They accused the US of hypocrisy, stating that Washington promotes open markets for American corporations while using tariffs as a tool to “bully sovereign nations.”

The unions also criticised the Indian government’s silence in response to US pressure, saying it reflects “growing subservience to western imperialist interests.”

The CTUs-SKM claimed the India-UK CETA sacrifices the interests of Indian farmers, workers, and broader economic independence in favour of foreign corporations. They warned the deal could allow companies like Cargill unrestricted access to India's dairy and agricultural sectors, impacting local livelihoods and food security.

“This capitulation paves the way for an even more exploitative India-US trade deal,” the statement said.

The groups argued that such agreements could accelerate deindustrialisation and unemployment, while also undermining India’s healthcare and self-reliance in essential sectors.

With inputs from PTI