THE fresh salvo of 25% extra tariffs on top of the earlier announced 25% by United States President Mr. Donald Trump has met with a no-nonsense repartee from Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi as he drew a clear, bold red line on the trade deal. The Prime Minister has asserted that India would not compromise the interests of its farmers and fishermen regardless of the personal cost he would have to pay in case of a no-deal scenario with the United States of America. The battlelines have been drawn and it is now up to Mr. Trump to think of a new tool other than threats to fight the Indian resolve. What the Prime Minister has stated in clear terms to the US President’s illogical tariff terror is the sentiment of every Indian. In fact, the Trump tariffs have brought together the nation with a steely determination that come what may, India would never give in to the unjustified and unfair demands of the United States.

 

In spite of the fact that India exports to America will be charged the highest tariff in the world, India has shown great fight in standing up to the bully in the White House. India has simply refused to get cowered down by Mr. Trump’s unreasonable demands of getting access to its core agriculture sector. Agriculture has remained the sticking point in the long series of negotiations between the US and Indian teams, for, the US is seeking to push its genetically modified (GM) crops such as corn and soya in the Indian markets. It would break the back of India’s farmers who are becoming bulk producers of these crops. New Delhi deserves full appreciation for not budging from its stance to safeguard its farmers. The defiance has frustrated Mr. Trump and hence the sabre-rattling each new day on the fake pretext of punishing India for buying Russian oil. The US hypocrisy has already been exposed by India with trade figures on its imports from Russia after the conflict with Ukraine.

 

The world is aware of the double standards of the Trump administration which is covertly buying uranium, palladium and fertilisers from Russia while castigating other nations on having trade relations with Moscow. It is the exposé and the dogged determination India has shown to stand up to the Trump threats that has enraged Washington no end. Mr. Trump has so far bullied his way to make nations accept his unfair tariffs. Many countries have meekly accepted the trade agreements with the USA by conceding to Mr. Trump’s demands. Canada, Japan, Pakistan, Vietnam and the meek European Union quickly acceded to the US President’s unjust proposals by signing trade deals that are heavily in favour of America. India has refused to bow down to such diktats and is seeking a trade deal on its own terms, protecting its people’s interests.

 

It has decided to stand up for itself which has upset the capricious POTUS. India will continue to face Mr. Trump’s ire in the future too, for all unfair reasons. It has been the nature of the US President who is always seeking a transaction on his own terms, with his own dominance. New Delhi has already factored in these dangers which is reflected in the growing engagement with Global South partners and BRICS nations. India is doing everything to mitigate the effects of high tariffs on sectors dependent on exports to the US by tapping alternate markets for these goods. The proposed meeting of Prime Minister Mr. Modi with Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping later this month is also a signal to Mr. Trump that India has kept its options open in case the US does not do a rethink on its tariff terror. The Indo-US trade fight has now entered a critical phase after the red line drawn by Mr. Modi. It has sent out a message of India’s belligerence to Washington. India must continue to stand up for its rights. It is no more a world dominated by a few hot-headed businessmen.