‘18% vs Zero’: Rahul Gandhi Slams India-US Trade Deal as BJP Moves for Expulsion

Tensions reached a boiling point in Parliament this Saturday as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi intensified his critique of the Modi government’s trade negotiations with the Trump administration. Gandhi warned that a “flawed” agreement could devastate India’s textile sector and cotton farmers, just as the BJP initiated a parliamentary move to seek his expulsion.

The “Dhaka Model” Controversy

In a video shared on X, Gandhi highlighted a specific “zero-tariff” clause reportedly granted to Bangladesh by the US. He argued that while Indian garment exports face an 18% tariff, Bangladesh has secured a 0% tariff—contingent on using American-grown cotton.

Gandhi presented a “lose-lose” scenario for India:

• Option A: India imports US cotton to get the 0% tariff, which would “ruin” domestic cotton farmers.
• Option B: India protects its farmers by using domestic cotton, but remains uncompetitive due to the 18% US tariff, “destroying” the textile industry.

Government Rebuttal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal dismissed Gandhi’s claims as “baseless” and “artificial.” Goyal asserted that the interests of Indian farmers are “fully protected” and suggested that finer details of India’s own trade clauses are still being negotiated.+1

Dual Threats: Trade and the “Four Stars” Row

The BJP’s push for a substantive motion against Gandhi—which could lead to his expulsion from the Lok Sabha—is fueled by two primary allegations of “misleading the nation”:

1. Trade Misrepresentation: The BJP claims Gandhi is spreading misinformation regarding the India-US trade deal to create panic among farmers.
2. Military Claims: Gandhi recently cited General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, to claim the PMO forced the Agnipath scheme on the military and “abdicated responsibility” during the 2020 China border standoff.

The BJP argues these citations are “cherry-picked” and “unauthorized” by the Ministry of Defence, accusing Gandhi of attempting to demoralize the armed forces.

What is a Substantive Motion?

A substantive motion is a self-contained, independent proposal submitted for the approval of the House. If admitted by the Speaker and carried by a vote, it can lead to severe disciplinary action, including the suspension or expulsion of a Member of Parliament.+1