PM Must Resign: Siddaramaiah Calls India-US Interim Trade

Bengaluru, February 9:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday attacked the newly announced India-US interim trade framework. He called it “deeply unfair” and compared it to “economic coercion”. The Chief Minister also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi take responsibility and resign immediately.

In his post on X, Siddaramaiah accused the Prime Minister of surrendering under pressure.

“A Prime Minister who exposes the nation to pressure, weakens farmers’ livelihoods, and damages India’s dignity cannot continue in office. For the harm caused to India’s sovereignty and self-respect, PM Narendra Modi must take responsibility and immediately resign,” he said.

Calling the trade framework unequal, Siddaramaiah claimed it did not come from fair negotiations. According to him, the United States used tariff threats, pressure tactics, and public warnings. He said accepting such terms is not diplomacy.

“The interim trade deal announced by PM Modi and US President Donald Trump did not come from equal and fair negotiations. Yielding under such pressure is not diplomacy but surrender,” Siddaramaiah wrote.

India-US Interim Trade Framework Announced

The United States and India recently announced a framework for an interim agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025.

Under the new framework, the US will continue to impose an 18% tariff on Indian goods.

Siddaramaiah Says Deal Will Hurt Indian Farmers

Siddaramaiah claimed the deal will severely affect Indian agriculture. He said India would have to reduce tariffs on several US goods to zero. This, he added, would benefit American farmers while weakening Indian farmers.

“Indian farmers will be forced to compete with cheap, subsidised American farm products, threatening the livelihoods of 72 crore farmers and farm labourers. This is not free trade. It is economic coercion,” he posted.

CM Makes Allegations Against PM Modi

The Karnataka Chief Minister also alleged that the Prime Minister reduced India to a weak position because “protecting himself mattered more than protecting the country.”

Siddaramaiah mentioned ongoing legal cases in the US involving Gautam Adani. He also referred to international disclosures linked to the Epstein files. He said more details may emerge in the future.

Centre Says Farmers Will Stay Protected

Earlier, the Central Government said it will protect Indian farmers under the India-US trade framework.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India has not fully opened its market for US apples. Instead, the government has offered a quota lower than current imports. He added that the Centre has fully protected domestic apple growers.

Reacting to the Opposition’s criticism, Goyal said the government has made a strong trade deal. He also dismissed Congress attacks as based on false claims.

India Plans Major US Purchases Under Framework

The Central Government said India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on several US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products. These include dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and more.

India also plans to purchase USD 500 billion worth of US energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products, and coking coal over the next five years.