Khera questions Centre’s trade strategy with US, cites Malaysia’s move and lack of clarity

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday criticised the Union government’s handling of trade relations with the United States, citing Malaysia’s reported decision to declare its trade agreement with Washington “null and void” and questioning India’s approach to similar negotiations.

‎In a post on X, the Congress leader said, “Malaysia has become the first country to declare its trade agreement with the United States of America ‘null and void.’ Malaysia signed its deal with the USA on October 26, 2025.” He contrasted this with India’s position, adding that New Delhi “does not even have a fully signed deal with the US like Malaysia,” and alleged a lack of transparency from the government.

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‎Khera further claimed that the Centre had offered “no clarity on the fate of this anti-India trade deal—only rumours floated through anonymous ‘sources’,” and raised concerns over recent trade-related actions by Washington. Referring to reported investigations, he said the United States had initiated two Section 301 probes involving India, one related to alleged failures to curb imports linked to forced labour and another concerning industrial capacity and manufacturing practices.

‎Targeting the government’s response, Khera took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. “They seem content with sitting back and sacrificing India’s pride while Washington decides India’s fate,” he said, questioning why India was “not as proactive as Malaysia in deciding its own fate.”

‎He also posed a series of sharp questions in his post, asking, “Why is Modi biting the bullet for America?” while making further unverified allegations.

‎The remarks come amid ongoing global trade realignments and heightened scrutiny of supply chains, labour standards and industrial policies. India and the United States have been engaged in discussions on trade and market access issues, though no comprehensive bilateral trade agreement has been finalised.

‎Analysts note that India’s trade negotiations with major partners often involve complex considerations, including domestic industry protection, regulatory standards and geopolitical factors. Khera’s comments add to the continuing political debate over India’s trade policy and its engagement with major global economies, particularly at a time when international trade dynamics remain in flux.