Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) said the threat of up to 100% U.S. tariffs on Indian goods shows how the government’s foreign and trade policies have “miserably failed” and while the pressure from Washington keeps mounting, “Howdy Modi ji keeps surrendering”.
House of Representatives voted to advance a bill that would authorise President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on India and other countries for buying oil and gas from Russia and extend existing sanctions on Iran. Kharge said on X, “Narendra Modi ji, your dear friend ‘Abki Baar Trump Sarkar’ dictates, you capitulate and 140 crore Indians are left to bear the consequences! The threat of up to 100% U.S. tariffs on Indian goods shows how the Modi govt’s foreign and trade policies have miserably failed. “First came 25% tariffs, then 50%, and now the threat of 100%. The framework virtually forces us to buy $500 billion worth of American goods over five years,” the Congress chief said.
Mr. Kharge’s remarks came after the U.S. Reacting to the development, Mr. Meanwhile, the Modi government agreed to a trade framework that expands American access to India’s agricultural products, mortgaging the interests of our farmers! Mr. “We are not playing ball with America and China.
“Pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, chemicals, auto components, gems and jewellery, electronics and technology could face a severe tariff shock,” Mr. Kharge said. We are the ball,” he said on X.
Earlier, Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera also took a swipe at the Modi government over the U.S. bill. “Yesterday’s surrender on the MDR on UPI is another stark example of your government’s meekness!
