Budget Session
Opposition seeks govt response on US tariffs, protests in Parliament complex
This story was originally published at 13:52 IST on 4 April 2025
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NEW DELHI - Demanding a response from the goverment on its course of action to deal with the 26% tariffs imposed by the US on imports from India, the Congress and other opposition parties on Friday held protest at Parliament complex. Congress members Manickam Tagore and Gaurav Gogoi, and Trinamool Congress member Sougata Roy also submitted notices for adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to hold discussion on the issue. However, Speaker Om Birla didn't allow the notices.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die at 1200 IST. The opposition members questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the issue and demanded that the government should clear its stance in Parliament.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced reciprocal tariffs on all nation, which included a levy of 26% duty on merchandise imports from India. Trump said the rate was calculated based on cumulative tariffs, including non-monetary barriers, imposed by a country on US goods. Based on the calculation, Trump said India imposes a 52% tariff on US goods.
The opposition members held protest at Parliament complex demanding a statement from the government on the issue. While talking to reporters, Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and K.C. Venugopal said that the US tariffs will have negative impact on the agriculture, automobile and micro small and medium enterprises sectors the most in India.
"At a time when the Indian economy is in trouble, the prime minister has started his 'maun vrat'. Opposition leaders are protesting today, asking him to break his silence," Gogoi said. "The (US) tariffs will have negative impact on toys industry, agriculture sector. The prime ministers and presidents of various countries made statements on the US tariffs and criticised the Trump's action. Why our prime minister is silent," Gogoi questioned.
"Yesterday (Thursday), too, we raised this issue in the House. The LoP (Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi) also raised this issue in the Lok Sabha. This is the biggest attack on the Indian economy," Venugopal said. "All people are worried about this. Farmers are in very difficult situation. We are asking for a reply from the government on this, but the government is running away by shutting Parliament. The finance minister is not giving reply. What diplomacy this government is doing."
On Thursday, India's trade ministry had said that they were still assessing the impact of the tariffs imposed by the US. The tariff hike could have a substantial impact on the exports growth as the US is India's top exports destination, with a share of 19% in total exports in the first 11 months of 2024-25 (Apr-Mar). India exported goods worth $76.38 billion to the US in Apr-Feb, and had a trade surplus of $34.75 billion. End
US$1 = INR 85.23
Reported by Kuldeep Singh
Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury
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