‘He will surrender again’: Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi after US tariff ruling

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that PM Narendra Modi is “compromised” after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against the US administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose broad global tariffs.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi said the “betrayal now stands exposed” and alleged that India would be unable to renegotiate its trade agreement, adding that the Prime Minister would “surrender again.” He wrote, “The PM is compromised. His betrayal now stands exposed. He can't renegotiate. He will surrender again.”

The US Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the administration exceeded legal authority in using IEEPA to impose broad import tariffs. Following the ruling, former US President Donald Trump announced plans to sign an executive order imposing a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows temporary import surcharges to address balance-of-payments deficits.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised India’s interim trade approach, questioning whether the country should have waited for the US court decision before finalising the deal. She argued that imports from the US to India currently face zero tariff while trade is subject to new conditions.

Chaturvedi also compared India’s position with countries such as Brazil, stating that Brazil maintained stronger trade sovereignty despite being among higher-tariff nations.

Another post by the MP criticised India’s stance on purchasing Russian oil, suggesting that other countries were leveraging cheaper oil supplies without similar restrictions. The remarks reflected ongoing political debate over India’s international trade strategy.

The government has not officially responded to the statements. The trade agreement and tariff developments continue to be discussed amid evolving global economic and legal decisions.