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Shashi Tharoor said the existing 25 per cent US tariff, combined with penalties linked to Russia and Iran, could raise the total tax to 75 per cent.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. (Image: PTI/File)
Congress MP and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Shashi Tharoor has expressed serious concern over US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on countries doing business with Iran. He warned that such measures could make Indian exports to the United States unviable.
Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said he had been troubled by the US tariff regime from the beginning. He noted that India was already facing higher tariffs than its regional competitors.
He added countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh were given lower tariffs of between 15 and 19 per cent on labour-intensive exports like gems, jewellery, marine products and leather.
“I have always been troubled about these tariffs because even the very first 25 per cent that was given to India was a problem because all the other economies, our rivals in South East Asia, who are competing with us in terms of labour-intensive industries that we produce, that we export to America like gems, jewellery, marine products, shrimp, leather, all these kinds of goods countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and even Pakistan and Bangladesh were all given tariff between 15 per cent and 19 per cent,” said Tharoor.
Tariffs could rise to 75 per cent
Tharoor said the situation had worsened with additional sanctions-related tariffs. He explained that the existing 25 per cent tariff, combined with penalties linked to Russia and Iran, could raise the total to 75 per cent. At that level, he said, no Indian company would be able to export goods to the US, except for items like pharmaceuticals.
“The 25 per cent was already a problem. Now, you have 25 per cent more for Russian sanctions which takes it up to 50 per cent and if there are 25 per cent more in Iranian sanctions, that it takes it up to 75 per cent. So, let’s face it, no Indian company will be viable in exporting to America at 75 per cent,” the Congress MP said.
“It will be only those items that are not so far sanctioned, like pharmaceuticals and so, which we can continue selling. The other items will not be viable. So, it is troubling. I don’t know what the Government is saying, but from my point of view, this is very serious,” he added.
The Congress MP described the situation as very serious and said he hoped the new US Ambassador would help both governments reach an understanding on a trade deal. He stressed that a bilateral agreement should be finalised by the first quarter of 2026.
Trade partnership at risk?
Tharoor said a tariff rate closer to 15 per cent, similar to what the UK has with the US, would reflect respect for a strategic partner. He warned that at 75 per cent, the idea of a meaningful strategic partnership would lose its significance.
The Congress MP’s warning comes as India is already reeling under 50 per cent US tariffs linked to the purchase of Russian oil. However, earlier this week, New Delhi said the US tariff on countries trading with Iran would have minimal impact on India.
(With agency inputs)
Delhi, India, India
January 15, 2026, 10:22 IST
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