Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab chief spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal launched a sharp attack on the proposed India–US trade deal, terming it a “betrayal of farmers” and directly challenging Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar to make the draft of the agreement public.
Addressing a press conference along with AAP leader Prabhvir Brar on Wednesday, Dhaliwal cited figures to claim that the Trump administration has increased tariffs on Indian goods up to 18 percent, while the Modi government has allegedly reduced taxes on American goods from 7.7 percent to zero.
He questioned how the deal could be considered fair if American farmers are allowed to sell their produce in India without tax, while Indian farmers would face an 18 percent tariff in the US market.
Impact on Agriculture
Dhaliwal said the agriculture sector would face the biggest impact from the trade deal. He warned that the entry of US red sorghum into Indian markets could economically affect farmers growing maize, millet, and sorghum in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
He further claimed that zero tariffs could create stiff competition for apple, almond, and walnut growers in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Targets Sunil Jakhar
Taking a swipe at Sunil Jakhar, Dhaliwal said the BJP leader was defending the trade deal in the same way the now-repealed farm laws were once defended. He asserted that history has shown that anti-farmer policies do not end well.
He urged Jakhar to present factual details of the agreement to the public instead of making statements in its favour.
Demand for Transparency
The AAP spokesperson alleged that information about the trade deal has largely surfaced through US statements and social media posts. He questioned why the Prime Minister has not held a detailed discussion on the issue in Parliament or taken the country into confidence.
Dhaliwal maintained that the matter concerns not only farmers but also the nation’s economy and self-respect. He said AAP would continue to raise its voice and place the facts before the public.
With these remarks, political tensions over the India–US trade deal have intensified. It remains to be seen whether the Centre or the BJP will respond in detail to the allegations, as the issue continues to draw national attention.
