Congress MP Criticizes Government's Timing on US Trade Deal
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has raised serious questions about the Indian government's decision to sign a trade deal framework with the United States before the US Supreme Court delivered its ruling on former President Donald Trump's tariffs. Ramesh argued that waiting for the court's decision could have strengthened India's negotiating position significantly.
Questioning the Rush to Agreement
In a detailed social media post, Ramesh pointed out that the US Supreme Court calendar, released months in advance, clearly marked February 20 as a non-argument day when judgments could be released. The court had already heard arguments related to tariffs on November 5, 2025, and legal observers anticipated the justices would not look favorably upon Trump's tariff policies.
"Why then did India not wait until February 20 to sign the trade deal? What was the desperation to do so on February 2, 2026?" Ramesh questioned in his post, suggesting the government missed a strategic opportunity to leverage the impending court decision.
US Court Ruling and Subsequent Actions
The US Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that the Trump administration had exceeded its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose broad-based import tariffs. However, President Trump later responded by raising worldwide tariffs to what he described as the "fully allowed, and legally tested, 15 percent level," effective immediately.
Ramesh emphasized that the Indian government could have anticipated this legal development and timed their negotiations accordingly. "The court had already heard arguments relating to tariffs on November 5, 2025, and it was well known that the justices were not expected to be favourably inclined to president Trump's tariffs," he noted.
Allegations of Compromised Farmer Interests
The Congress MP went further in his criticism, alleging that the trade deal framework compromised the interests of Indian farmers. He suggested political motivations behind the timing of the announcement.
"Had the Prime Minister not felt the need to distract the media, the parliament, and the people by announcing this trade deal and compromising the interests of millions of our farmers, India would have been in a much stronger bargaining position right now," Ramesh stated, connecting the trade agreement timing to domestic political considerations.
Government Response and Next Steps
On Saturday, the Indian government announced it was studying the implications of both the US Supreme Court judgment on tariffs and the subsequent steps announced by the Trump administration. Sources within the commerce ministry revealed that the proposed meeting of chief negotiators from India and the US in Washington DC to finalize discussions on the trade deal would be rescheduled.
The ministry sources explained: "The two sides are of the view that the proposed visit of the Indian chief negotiator and the team be scheduled after each side has had the time to evaluate the latest developments and their implications. The meeting will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient date."
Broader Implications for Trade Strategy
This development highlights several important considerations for India's international trade strategy:
- The importance of timing in international negotiations and leveraging legal developments in partner countries
- The need for comprehensive assessment of how foreign court rulings might affect trade agreements
- The balancing act between domestic agricultural interests and international trade commitments
- The strategic value of patience in negotiations when anticipating favorable legal outcomes
The controversy raises questions about whether India's trade negotiators adequately considered the impending US court decision and whether alternative timing could have secured more favorable terms for Indian interests, particularly in the agricultural sector.
