{"id":3030,"date":"2026-02-07T23:51:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T15:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/?p=3030"},"modified":"2026-02-07T23:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T15:51:16","slug":"how-is-this-a-win-chidambaram-slams-india-us-trade-framework-as-opaque-us-tilted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/?p=3030","title":{"rendered":"\u2018How is this a win?\u2019: Chidambaram slams India-US trade framework as opaque, US-tilted"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

Former finance minister\u00a0P Chidambaram\u00a0launched a scathing attack on the\u00a0India-US joint statement on the interim trade deal, arguing that what the government has projected as a diplomatic win is, in reality, an\u00a0opaque and asymmetric framework\u00a0tilted heavily in favour of Washington.\u00a0<\/p>

In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Chidambaram pointed out that the joint statement issued on February 6 explicitly acknowledges that no Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) has been concluded. Instead, the two sides have merely agreed on a \u201cframework for an interim agreement\u201d to advance broader BTA negotiations initiated in February 2025. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cIt is not even an Interim Agreement. It is a \u2018framework for an interim agreement\u2019,\u201d Chidambaram wrote, questioning the government\u2019s celebratory tone.\u00a0<\/p>

My preliminary view on the Joint Statement on Tariffs:<\/p>

The Joint Statement issued by India and the US makes it clear that no Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) has been reached.<\/p>

It is not even an Interim Agreement. It is a ‘framework for an interim agreement’.<\/p>

Paragraph 2 and\u2026<\/p>

\u2014 P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote> <\/div>

He argued that the language of the statement \u2014 particularly\u00a0Paragraph 2 and its accompanying bullet points \u2014 is so convoluted that understanding the actual commitments made by the United States would require a close reading of\u00a0multiple US executive orders\u00a0issued between\u00a02018 and 2025.\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cUnless one reads and analyses the Orders of the United States dated 2-4-2025, 5-9-2025, 8-3-2018, 30-7-2025 and 17-5-2019, it is not possible to understand the exact nature of the commitments undertaken by the U.S.,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>

According to Chidambaram, the lack of clarity masks a deal that is\u00a0clearly skewed in favour of the US. He flagged what he described as a stark asymmetry in tariff commitments: while\u00a0India would eliminate or sharply reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of agricultural and food products, the United States would continue to impose an\u00a018% tariff on Indian exports, including\u00a0textiles, leather goods and organic chemicals.\u00a0<\/p>

Crucially, he noted that the US would lift these tariffs\u00a0only after a \u201csuccessful conclusion of the Interim Agreement\u201d,\u00a0effectively placing the burden of progress on India.\u00a0<\/p>

Chidambaram also highlighted that\u00a0US tariffs on steel, copper and aluminium\u00a0are set to continue, with exemptions limited to certain\u00a0aircraft\u00a0and aircraft parts. In addition, the ongoing\u00a0Section 232 investigation\u00a0by the US would remain in force, making the framework subject to unilateral American trade actions.\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cHow is this \u2018framework for an Interim Agreement\u2019 a matter of celebration?\u201d Chidambaram asked, summing up his criticism.<\/p> <\/div>