Chandigarh, Feb 11: The India-US trade agreement represents a significant betrayal of the nation’s agricultural community, Aam Aadmi Party Punjab chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal stated on Wednesday. The MLA criticized the federal government for allegedly opening domestic markets to American products at zero tax while Indian goods face an 18 percent tariff under the Trump administration.
During a press conference held in Chandigarh, Dhaliwal noted that the current arrangement appears inherently unfair to local producers. He pointed out that while American farmers can now sell their produce in India without taxation, Indian farmers are burdened by high entry costs in the United States.
“The Prime Minister has mortgaged the country to America,” Dhaliwal said. He added that the details of the agreement have primarily surfaced through social media posts from the US President rather than through official parliamentary channels.
The AAP leader expressed concern that the influx of American “red sorghum” and other food products will devastate farmers in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. He further remarked that fruit growers in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh face a similar threat of being pushed onto the streets due to zero-tariff competition.
Addressing Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar, Dhaliwal suggested that advocating for this deal mirrors the previous support given to the controversial farm laws.
“While serving Modi, make sure you don’t meet the same fate as the Akalis,” Dhaliwal said. He noted that the political decline of the Akali Dal should serve as a warning to those prioritizing central interests over the welfare of Punjab’s farmers.
