New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, suggesting that the Indian government would eventually submit to US pressure on trade tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump. The remarks come just days before a critical July 9 deadline, when the suspension on a 26% U.S. tariff on Indian goods is set to expire.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline.” His statement referred to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s earlier assertions that India would only enter trade deals that serve national interests and would not succumb to deadlines imposed by other countries.
Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline. pic.twitter.com/t2HM42KrSi
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 5, 2025
Rahul Gandhi’s comment implies skepticism about the Modi government’s ability to withstand U.S. pressure, as New Delhi and Washington continue negotiations to avoid the reimposition of steep trade duties. The tariffs in question—originally levied during the Trump administration in April—were temporarily suspended for 90 days from May 11, with the suspension set to end on July 9.
While the Commerce Ministry has maintained that negotiations are ongoing and focused on securing a “win-win” deal, Rahul Gandhi’s tweet suggested that the government may ultimately concede to US demands in the final hours.
The implications of the tariff dispute could be significant, affecting key export sectors in India, including steel and agriculture, as well as ongoing talks over broader trade cooperation with the United States.
The NDA government has yet to respond directly to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, but earlier this week, Piyush Goyal had reiterated that India is negotiating from a position of strength and is prioritizing its domestic interests in trade talks not only with the US but also with the EU, Oman, Chile, and others.
