Mayawati Says Too Early to Judge If US Tariff Cut Serves India’s Interest

Lucknow, February 3: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday said it would be premature to assess whether the United States’ decision to reduce tariffs on Indian goods is in India’s interest, cautioning that the complete details of the agreement are yet to be made public.

Her remarks followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump, who confirmed the deal after a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. The agreement reportedly reduces the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from a total of 50 per cent to 18 per cent.

Reacting to the development, Mayawati emphasized that forming an opinion without examining the full scope of the agreement would be hasty. “The actual impact of this decision can only be understood once it is implemented and the ground realities are evaluated,” she said.

The BSP leader’s comments reflect a cautious approach amid ongoing discussions over India-US trade relations, underscoring the need for careful analysis before drawing conclusions about international economic agreements.

Experts note that while tariff reductions may provide opportunities for Indian exporters, the long-term benefits and implications depend on multiple factors, including the sectors covered, compliance requirements, and reciprocal concessions.