marxistindia

news from the cpi(m)

February 03, 2026

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

An Imbalanced Trade Deal

The announcement of a trade deal between the US and India has generated euphoria in the corporate media. But this is completely misplaced as the details of the agreement are not yet available. It is only when the full scope and details of the trade deal are available, one can make a proper assessment.

However, the announcement made by the US President Donald Trump on his social media posts states that Indian goods imports will face a 18 per cent tariff, while India reduces tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US goods to zero. Eliminating tariffs will result in flooding the country with US goods which will adversely impact industries and workers' livelihoods. Removal of non-tariff barriers would mean eliminating subsidies and other measures which support Indian farmers. Trump has claimed that India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil and committed to buy $500 billions worth of US energy, technology and farm products. This, if true, shows up the highly unequal nature of the trade deal with India in a subordinate position, circumscribing its sovereignty.

It is important that the government place the full trade agreement in the Parliament and in the public domain, so that there is a thorough discussion.

Any harmful provisions must be rescinded to protect the interests of Indian industry, agriculture and working people.

Muralidharan 

For CPI(M) Central Committee  Office