New Delhi, May 15: Congress MP Manish Tewari has demanded a direct and transparent explanation from the central government following US President Donald Trump’s recent claim that India has offered a “zero-tariff” trade deal to the United States. Tewari raised concerns about the implications of such a deal and urged the BJP-led government to clarify its trade commitments.
Taking to the social media platform X, Tewari asked, “Is it a fact that India has offered a Zero Tariff deal to the United States? That needs an explicit answer from the Government.”
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also weighed in, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the issue. “The Commerce Minister is in Washington, DC, and President Trump has made yet another grand announcement from Doha. There is total chuppi from our PM. What has he agreed to, and what linkage is there between this and the stoppage of Operation Sindoor?” Ramesh wrote on X.
Earlier in the day, President Trump, during a press conference in Doha, stated that India had extended a deal with “basically zero tariffs” on American goods. However, he did not provide further details. “They have offered us a deal where they’re willing to charge us no tariff — literally,” Trump said.
The US had previously imposed a 26% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, which was recently suspended for 90 days amid ongoing negotiations. Reports suggest India has proposed eliminating tariffs on select US imports, including steel, auto components, and pharmaceuticals, under a reciprocal “zero-for-zero” framework.
In a related remark, Trump expressed frustration over Apple’s growing investment in India. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” he said. “I told him, you’re coming up with USD 500 billion, but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India unless you’re doing it to take care of India. It’s one of the highest tariff nations in the world.”
Apple is reportedly preparing to shift all iPhone production for the US market to India as part of its strategy to diversify manufacturing away from China.
Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit the US on May 16 to hold high-level trade talks. His visit comes on the heels of US Vice President JD Vance’s trip to New Delhi in April, aimed at pushing forward a potential bilateral trade agreement.
Adding to the geopolitical context, Trump on May 12 also claimed credit for helping broker an immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan, stating that the US is keen to enhance trade with both nations. (With Agency Input)
