Shashi Tharoor Warns 75% US Tariffs Could Cripple Indian Exports

• Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed serious concern over US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran.
• Tharoor warned that existing 25% tariffs, combined with new sanctions related to Russia and Iran, could push total tariffs to 75%.
• He stated that at a 75% tariff rate, no Indian company, except for specific sectors like pharmaceuticals, would find exporting to the US viable.
• Tharoor highlighted that India already faces higher tariffs compared to regional competitors like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, who receive 15-19% tariffs on labor-intensive exports.
• He urged for a bilateral trade agreement by Q1 2026, suggesting a 15% tariff rate would better reflect a strategic partnership.

Why It Matters: Shashi Tharoor warns that escalating US tariffs, potentially reaching 75%, threaten to make Indian exports unviable.