New Delhi, Feb 3 (NationPress) Opposition leaders launched a vehement critique of the India-US trade deal on Tuesday, voicing serious apprehensions regarding the nation's sovereignty, lack of transparency in decision-making, and the potential long-term repercussions for farmers, energy security, and foreign policy.

Representatives from the Congress party and Samajwadi Party questioned the rationale behind key announcements being made by US President Donald Trump instead of the Indian administration, cautioning that the agreement might unfairly favor the US.

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat expressed discontent over the notable increase in tariff levels, stating, “I don’t think there is much to celebrate. Previously, our tariff was about 3-4 percent, and now we are content with it being 18 percent, which is astonishing. Why is President Trump the one informing us about trade agreements? Are we no longer a sovereign nation? Why is a leader from another country dictating terms to us? Now the US will determine from whom we should purchase oil or trade, and receiving such critical information from President Trump rather than our Prime Minister sends a negative message to the nation,” he told IANS.

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav charged that the US would never engage in an agreement without ensuring its own interests are safeguarded. “America is a cunning trader. It will never act against its own interests, which suggests there might be a concealed agenda. It could involve arms purchases or restrictions on sourcing oil from specific routes. They won’t admit it openly, but there is definitely a hidden agenda,” he remarked.

Congress MP Jebi Mather questioned both the optics and the substance of the announcements. “Be it a ceasefire or a trade deal announcement, it appears that President Trump is making all the declarations. Has India submitted to the US? That’s our foremost question. Furthermore, the details emerging are clouded in ambiguity and need clarification,” she told IANS, adding, “What about the agricultural deal that is surfacing? What about farmers’ rights? What about sourcing oil from Venezuela and the US instead of Russia? All these issues are surfacing. Parliament is in session; let’s discuss them.”

SP MP Rajiv Rai shared similar sentiments, stating, “I fail to comprehend those who claim that a decline in the rupee’s value damages the nation’s pride. How much more will our pride suffer if we are being dictated by Trump and receiving updates on every decision from him?”

Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh also raised strategic concerns. “What are the stipulations? India has had long-standing relations with Russia and was acquiring oil at reduced prices. Now the Indian government is being urged to pivot towards Venezuela. The US President himself stated that India is secure only if it compromises on its prior agreements,” he noted.

India and the US finalized a trade agreement on Monday following a phone dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump. The deal entails that US tariffs on Indian products have been lowered to 18 percent, while India has consented to relax certain trade barriers for American goods.

The government has celebrated the agreement as a positive step for Indian exports and access to global markets, while opposition parties persist in demanding a comprehensive statement in Parliament.