“No Indian Export Can Survive 75% US Tariff,” says Tharoor

• Tharoor warns that cumulative US tariffs could push duties on Indian exports to 75 per cent
• Says labour-intensive Indian exports will become commercially unviable
• Urges fast-tracking of India–US trade deal in early 2026
• Hopes new US Ambassador will help bridge differences

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th Jan: Expressing serious concern over US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a fresh 25 per cent tariff on countries trading with Iran, Congress MP and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Shashi Tharoor has warned that Indian exporters could face an effective tariff burden of up to 75 per cent, rendering exports to the United States commercially unviable.

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said he had been troubled by the US tariff regime from the outset, noting that India was already placed at a disadvantage compared to its regional competitors. He pointed out that while India faced a 25 per cent tariff, rival economies such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh were given lower rates ranging between 15 and 19 per cent on labour-intensive export sectors including gems, jewellery, marine products, shrimp and leather.

Tharoor explained that with the additional 25 per cent tariff linked to Russian sanctions and now another 25 per cent related to Iranian sanctions, the cumulative tariff burden could rise to 75 per cent. “No Indian company will be viable in exporting to America at 75 per cent,” he said, adding that only limited sectors such as pharmaceuticals may continue to remain competitive.

Describing the development as “very serious”, Tharoor stressed the urgency of concluding a bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States. He said such a deal should ideally be finalised in the first quarter of 2026, rather than being delayed for an entire year.

He also expressed hope that the newly appointed US Ambassador would work towards bridging differences between the two governments to facilitate a “meeting of minds” on the trade deal. Tharoor remarked that tariffs closer to the 15 per cent level enjoyed by the United Kingdom would better reflect the respect accorded to a strategic partner, warning that a 75 per cent tariff regime would undermine the very meaning of strategic partnership.

Trump had announced the new measure on Monday, stating that any country continuing to do business with Iran would face a 25 per cent tariff on all trade with the United States, effective immediately.