Tharoor Warns: Trump's Iran Tariffs Could Halt Indian Exports to US

• Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed serious concern over US President Donald Trump's 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran.
• Tharoor predicts that combined tariffs (initial 25%, Russian sanctions 25%, Iran sanctions 25%) could reach 75%, making Indian exports to America impossible.
• He highlighted that India already faces a disadvantage with initial 25% tariffs compared to competitors like Vietnam and Thailand (15-19%).
• Only items not yet restricted, such as medicines, might still be sellable, while other goods like gems, jewelry, and marine products would be severely impacted.
• Tharoor urged for a quick decision on a bilateral trade agreement, hoping the new US Ambassador can facilitate consensus.

Why It Matters: Trump's new Iran tariffs, combined with existing duties, threaten to make Indian exports to the US unviable.