Jaishankar's Bold Message to US on Trade: 'Don't Buy It If You Don't Like It'

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that India-US trade talks are still going on, but we have some limits (red lines) in front of us. US President Trump is going to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on India from August 27, that is, a total of 50 percent will be imposed on the country.

At the 'Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025', External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said that talks are going on with the US. He told the attendees, "Our concern is that the limits are primarily linked to the interest of our farmers and to some extent our small producers. We, as a government, are committed to protecting the interests of our farmers and small producers. We are absolutely firm on this. This cannot be compromised."

The foreign minister further said that US President Donald Trump's way of dealing with the world and even his own country is very different from the traditional conservative way. Jaishankar said, it is ridiculous that people of the pro-trade US administration are accusing others of doing trade. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, then don't buy. No one is forcing you to do so. Europe buys, America buys, if you don't like it, don't buy.

Jaishankar's statement has come at a time when there is tension between India and America regarding trade. America has imposed 50% tariff on India, which also includes 25% penalty tariff. This penalty has been imposed on India for buying oil from Russia.