Congress asks PM Modi to put interim US trade deal on hold, seek renegotiation

New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "put on hold" the interim India-US trade deal following the US Supreme Court's decision striking down President Donald Trump's global tariff reset. The party also called on the Centre to renegotiate the import tariff structure with the US administration.

Demanding clarity from the government, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said there should be no import liberalisation until there are clear assurances from the American side and safeguards for Indian farmers.

"We demand that the Prime Minister categorically state that there will be no import liberalisation after the Supreme Court decision. There is a rethink in India's trade policy, and we should not proceed with import liberalisation until full clarifications are obtained," Ramesh said.


He also questioned why the government did not wait for the US Supreme Court's verdict before entering into the interim trade arrangement.

However, party sources acknowledged that the automatic tariff readjustments triggered by the US court ruling have also complicated the Congress' initial political narrative and agitational plans against the interim deal, forcing it to recalibrate its position on the tariff issue.