New Delhi: Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday intensified his attack on the government’s interim trade agreement with the United States, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "cheating" India’s cotton farmers and textile exporters to favour American interests.

In a scathing post on X, Gandhi alleged that the framework of the deal places Indian manufacturers at a severe competitive disadvantage compared to neighbouring Bangladesh. He claimed the agreement would inflict "deep damage" on labour-intensive sectors that serve as the backbone of the Indian economy.

"18 per cent Tariff vs 0 per cent — Let me explain how the Prime Minister and his cabinet are spreading confusion on this issue," Gandhi wrote. "And how they are cheating India's cotton farmers and textile exporters through the India-US trade deal."

The Tariff Disparity

The Congress leader highlighted a specific clause in the U.S. trade policy that reportedly grants Bangladesh zero-tariff access for garment exports, provided they use American-grown cotton. In contrast, Indian textiles are set to face a reciprocal tariff of 18%.

Gandhi stated that when he questioned the government in Parliament regarding this disparity, he was told that India could receive similar benefits only by importing cotton from the U.S.

"Why was this fact hidden from the country till now? And what kind of policy is this?" Gandhi asked. "Is this really any kind of choice — or is it a trap designed to push us into a 'well in front, ditch behind' situation?"

Impact on Domestic Livelihoods

The Leader of the Opposition argued that the deal presents a "no-win" scenario for India’s rural and industrial sectors:

  • Farmers at Risk: Importing American cotton to secure lower tariffs would ruin domestic cotton growers who already struggle with fluctuating prices.
  • Industry in Peril: Refusing to import U.S. cotton leaves Indian textile exporters burdened by the 18% tariff, making their products significantly more expensive than those from Bangladesh.

Gandhi further warned that the shift is already causing regional ripples, claiming that Bangladesh has signalled it may reduce or halt its own imports of Indian cotton in favour of U.S. supplies.

Allegations of "Surrender"

Labelling the Prime Minister as "Narendra 'Surrender' Modi," Gandhi accused the administration of failing to negotiate with national foresight. He asserted that a "visionary government" would have protected both the farmer and the exporter rather than forcing them to compete against each other.

"Attacking these sectors means pushing millions of families into the pit of unemployment and economic crisis," Gandhi said.

With inputs from PTI

Government officials have previously defended the deal, noting that the 18% rate is a significant reduction from the nearly 50% cumulative duties earlier imposed by the Trump administration. However, Gandhi’s remarks signal that the trade pact will remain a central flashpoint in domestic politics as both sectors brace for the deal’s implementation.