[Marxistindia] An Imbalanced Trade Deal

[news from the cpi(m)]

February 03, 2026

 

Press Statement

 

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the
following statement:

 

An Imbalanced Trade Deal

 

The announcement of a trade deal between the US and India has generated
euphoria in the corporate media. But this is completely misplaced as the
details of the agreement are not yet available. It is only when the full
scope and details of the trade deal are available, one can make a proper
assessment.

 

However, the announcement made by the US President Donald Trump on his
social media posts states that Indian goods imports will face a 18 per cent
tariff, while India reduces tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US goods to
zero. Eliminating tariffs will result in flooding the country with US goods
which will adversely impact industries and workers' livelihoods. Removal of
non-tariff barriers would mean eliminating subsidies and other measures
which support Indian farmers. Trump has claimed that India has agreed to
stop buying Russian oil and committed to buy $500 billions worth of US
energy, technology and farm products. This, if true, shows up the highly
unequal nature of the trade deal with India in a subordinate position,
circumscribing its sovereignty.

 

It is important that the government place the full trade agreement in the
Parliament and in the public domain, so that there is a thorough discussion.
Any harmful provisions must be rescinded to protect the interests of Indian
industry, agriculture and working people.

 

 

Muralidharan

For CPI(M) Central Committee  Office

 

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