Trump tariffs & Pak oil deal: Fiery session likely in Parliament today
Uneasy alliance: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, in Washington, in February | PTI
After three days of fiery debate in both houses of Parliament over Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack, the opposition is likely to target the Union government over the 25 per cent tariffs imposed by the United States. Centre is also likely to face opposition's heat over US-Pakistan oil deal amid its claims of close Trump-Modi ties.
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that a 25 per cent tariff will be imposed on Indian goods from August 1. He also said an additional tax penalty will be levied on India for buying oil and defence equipment from Russia.
Trump's announcement comes as the Modi government is facing opposition's ire over the US president's claims of "stopping India-Pakistan war" using trade card. The US president claims he "stopped" the conflict between India and Pakistan, which would have otherwise turned nuclear, warning that the US would not trade with warring nations.
Hours later, the US president announced an oil deal with Pakistan. "We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves. We are in the process of choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership. Who knows, maybe they'll be selling oil to India some day!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.
Trump's announcement comes amid opposition's ongoing protest in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha demanding a discussion on special intensive electoral roll revision in Bihar. The opposition's protest had disrupted house proceedings since the beginning on monsoon session.
The Centre on Wednesday said it is studying the implications of Trump tariffs. In a statement, the Union commerce ministry said, "India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective. The Government will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements, including the latest Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK."
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