Expressing concern over the reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donal Trump, the Congress on Saturday asked the government to prioritise trade agreements with European Union, UK, West Asia, China, Japan, Latin America and African Union, while also continuing discussions with the US on the issue.
Addressing a press conference here, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the government should convene a meeting with the Opposition leaders and tell them about their next strategy.
“Whatever agreement is reached, it must be balanced and respectful,” he added.
He said, “Imposition of unilateral decision by America is a big challenge for India and the world. This is not limited to economics and business. Countries are directly affected by this, whether they are rich or poor.”
The Rajya Sabha MP said that the term “reciprocal tariff has been used for the first time by the President of a big country.”
“Reciprocal Tariff will also affect India, there is no information available yet on the country’s strategy on this matter. We believe that whatever reaction is made on this, national interest should be kept in mind,” Sharma said.
The former Minister said, “There are indications that some terms and references are being prepared by the government for bilateral trade. What are those and what is the criteria”.
Sharma said that some announcements were already made by the government which should not have been made before the talks and all this should be “based on dialogue and should be two-way and not one-sided”.
He also urged the government to talk to all concerned parties including traders, industrialists, farmers, dairy, poultry, textiles on this issue and sought a “national task force” be formed to draft the negotiations with America and monitor the direction in which the country’s trade is moving.
