Union Minister Piyush Goyal hit back at Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the India–US trade deal, accusing him of misleading the public as US tariffs on Indian goods were cut sharply from 50% to 18% under the new agreement.
Piyush Goyal hits back at India-US trade deal criticism
New Delhi: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday launched a sharp counterattack against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the recently announced India-US trade agreement, accusing him of attempting to mislead the public and applying double standards on key economic issues.
Addressing reporters in the national capital, Goyal said Opposition leaders who had earlier questioned the government over delays in concluding the trade deal were now targeting it after its finalisation, calling the shift contradictory and politically motivated.
US tariffs on Indian goods reduced to 18% from 50%: Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Goyal said it was surprising that critics who had demanded quicker negotiations were now questioning the agreement itself. According to the minister, the Opposition’s criticism ignored the broader economic gains and the long-term national interest embedded in the deal.
He alleged that repeated attacks on the agreement reflected a negative mindset and an unwillingness to acknowledge policy achievements aimed at strengthening India’s global trade position.
The remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump announced the India–US trade deal, confirming that tariffs on Indian goods would be reduced sharply to 18 per cent from 50 per cent. The reduction marks a significant shift after Indian exports faced steep duties last year, impacting several sectors.
Trump also claimed that India had agreed to lower tariff and non-tariff barriers and expand purchases of US goods across multiple sectors. Indian officials have indicated that the agreement was negotiated with national priorities in mind and that further technical details would be shared through a joint statement.
Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of signing the agreement under pressure, alleging that the deal had been stalled for months before being concluded suddenly. He suggested that external factors influenced the timing and terms of the agreement and claimed it could harm the Prime Minister’s image.
The Congress leader made the remarks while speaking to reporters outside Parliament amid ongoing disruptions in both Houses.
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Rejecting the allegations, Goyal praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, saying the agreement was finalised only after ensuring that public welfare and national interest remained central to the negotiations. He said the deal had been awaited for months and would unlock new opportunities for India’s economy.
According to the minister, improved market access and reduced tariffs would benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, workers, small businesses and youth.
Goyal said India’s diplomatic engagement with the United States played a crucial role in achieving a favourable outcome and described the agreement as one of the strongest trade deals India has secured in comparison to its regional competitors. He added that detailed information would be released once the technical process is completed.
