CPI(M) urges India to protect farmers' interests in US trade talks
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New Delhi: The CPI(M) has urged India to resist measures that could negatively impact farmers while negotiating a bilateral trade deal with the US, accusing the Narendra Modi government of voluntarily reducing tariffs on American imports to "appease" Washington.
A statement issued on Sunday, following a meeting of the Left party's Politburo, also called for international pressure on Israel to declare a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure "unhindered" access to food and other essential commodities for the people there.
Condemning the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the statement highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis, citing mass starvation caused by Israeli attacks and restrictions on aid convoys.
Regarding the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations between India and the US amid economic uncertainties triggered by President Donald Trump's tariff policies, the Left party stated that Washington is pushing India to open its agricultural market to US products and amend patent laws.
Noting that two rounds of negotiations have already taken place and the deal is expected to be finalised by the end of the year, the CPI(M) said, "India should resist all such efforts which are going to harm the interests of our farmers and the country." The agreement aims to more than double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030.
On Trump's trade barriers with other nations, the Left party observed that the US initially imposed increased tariffs on nearly all countries but later "backtracked" and paused them for 90 days, except for China.
"China, Canada, Mexico and the EU retaliated by increasing tariffs on goods they import from the US. Unlike them, the Indian government did not react against the imposition of tariffs on Indian goods and instead is trying to appease Trump by voluntarily reducing tariffs," the CPI(M) observed.
(inputs from PTI)
