India-US deal: Donald Trump’s tariff threats an act of ‘arm-twisting’; UK pact a ‘trendsetter’ - IIFT vice chancellor

US President Donald Trump’s recent tariff warnings to India have drawn sharp criticism from Indian trade experts, with Professor Rakesh Mohan Joshi, vice chancellor of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), likening them to “arm-twisting” tactics. In a strong statement as quoted by ANI, Professor Joshi said Trump was using tariff threats to push other countries, including India, into one-sided trade deals that could jeopardise domestic interests.“He’s forcing countries to buy energy, forcing countries to buy some technology, aircraft and defence equipment just to balance the trade,” Professor Joshi said, referring to similar deals the US had recently struck with the EU, Indonesia and the Philippines. In these agreements, the US imposed tariffs but secured free market access in return, including mandatory procurement of American goods, he explained.Focusing on the ongoing India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations, Professor Joshi warned against conceding to US demands for duty-free access to Indian dairy and agricultural markets. “We produce more than double the milk that America produces,” he noted. “If duty-free access is given to the US, it would devastate our dairy sector and leave farmers at the mercy of God.”Joshi pointed out the stark contrast between agriculture in the two countries. “In America, agriculture is a commercial enterprise. In India, it is about livelihood. I compliment our negotiators for resisting pressure on these sensitive sectors,” he said.While criticising the US approach, Joshi lauded the India-UK Free Trade Agreement as “balanced and win-win.” He described the FTA as a “trendsetter” that reflects long-term diplomacy and mutual trust. “It is not by threatening or arm-twisting that you can strike a deal,” he asserted.Under the India-UK deal, duties have been reduced on 90% of UK products entering India, while 99% of Indian products enjoy lowered tariffs in the UK market. “This agreement sets a benchmark the world must learn from,” Joshi added.