USA Trade Deal: Rhetoric vs Reality The Government is gloating over the recent trade deal with the USA, projecting it as beneficial for all. A natural question arises: how does this agreement compare with the so-called “mother of all deals” with the European Union and with other trade arrangements concluded recently?
The USA has lately been courting Pakistan for various strategic reasons—often at India’s expense. Yet India remains an indispensable partner for the US in counterbalancing Russia, China, and North Korea. Despite all rhetoric and filibustering, the USA cannot simply dispense with India. India, to its credit, has handled negotiations with the USA in a silent, cautious, and calculated manner. This restrained approach itself has sent a strong signal—even to a mercurial leader like Donald Trump. Trade tariffs must be genuinely reciprocal. Earlier tariff levels ranging between 2% and 5% were far more reasonable than steep hikes touching 18%, especially when compared with concessions extended to other nations. Current bilateral trade stands at around USD 140 billion, and promises to scale this up to USD 500 billion within five years appear unrealistic and overly ambitious. India has steadily diversified its trade basket, including defence acquisitions and strategic partnerships. The USA is no longer India’s preferred or sole export destination. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding US policy—particularly under Trump—raises serious concerns about its reliability, especially when India faces aggression or coercion from China, often aided by Pakistan. The USA has specifically targeted India on sensitive fronts: H-1B visas, manufacturing under “Make in India,” deportation threats, and persistent scrutiny of Indian CEOs leading global corporations. Prolonged negotiations and strained relations suggest that recent trade deals are primarily skewed in favour of American interests. India’s silence on tangible gains only reinforces this suspicion. India, however, is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and possesses inherent strengths to withstand economic or political coercion—from the USA or any other power. China, the UK, and several other nations have proactively opened doors through universities, work visas, employment opportunities, favourable import-export duties, technology transfers, and joint manufacturing ventures—all of which bode well for India’s long-term growth. One must also consider the risks of importing uneconomical oil, which could severely strain India’s finances. If Russia—a long-standing and trusted ally—were to curtail arms supplies in retaliation, where would India turn? Meanwhile, new global alliances are steadily forming, gradually diluting American dominance as the sole superpower. Ironically, Trump’s aggressive tariff wars may have accelerated China’s rise rather than contained it. Strategic patience, diversification, and self-reliance—not triumphalism—should guide India’s trade diplomacy. Isolating , ignoring humiliating India as also alienating its allies os counter productive to strategic partnerships The Venezuela incident and threats to Iran, Mexico , Columbia, Canada, Cuba Greenland are contentious outbursts that USA is fritteing away reliable cooperation Nelson Lopes Chinchinim Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com
