New Delhi — Rahul Gandhi sharpened his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday, declaring the prime minister ‘compromised’ following the US Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The Congress leader posted on X that Modi’s ‘betrayal’ in the India-US interim trade deal stood exposed, adding he ‘can’t renegotiate’ and ‘will surrender again.’

The court, in a 6-3 ruling penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, deemed Trump’s tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act illegal, marking a blow to his second-term economic plans. Trump quickly responded by announcing a 10 percent temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 for 150 days, effectively dropping the rate from 18 percent.

Congress branded the trade deal an ‘ordeal’ forced on India by Modi’s ‘desperation and surrender.’ General Secretary Jairam Ramesh argued Modi acted out of a need to protect his ‘fragile image.’ Had he waited 18 more days after the February 2 announcement, Ramesh said on X, Indian farmers would have avoided distress and national sovereignty stayed intact.

Ramesh detailed Trump’s post-ruling statements: Modi is his ‘great friend,’ the deal continues unchanged, and Trump personally halted India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 10, 2025, by threatening higher tariffs unless India complied. On February 2, Trump announced the deal finalized ‘out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi,’ effective immediately, Ramesh noted. He questioned what unfolded in the Lok Sabha that afternoon, pushing Modi to seek a White House diversion at night.

General Secretary Randeep Surjewala raised doubts about the new tariffs’ legality against India. He asked on X if they hold up the framework agreement, opposed by farmers, small businesses, energy experts, economists, and data specialists. Surjewala demanded the Modi government walk away from the ‘one-sided’ deal.

He pressed further: Will the government now buy cheaper Russian and Iranian crude for energy security? Drop plans to remove ‘non-tariff barriers’ like farm subsidies or allow genetically modified crop imports, safeguarding seed purity and biodiversity? Renounce the pledge to import $500 billion in US goods tariff-free over five years, protecting Indian industry? And secure India’s data and digital space?

The deal emerged earlier this month as a framework agreement. Trump lifted 25 percent punitive tariffs on India over its Russian oil purchases via executive order. India committed to curbing direct or indirect Moscow energy imports and buying US products instead. Tariffs on Indian goods fell to 18 percent reciprocally.

Trump stood firm Friday at the White House. ‘Nothing changes,’ he said of the India deal. He praised his ‘fantastic’ ties with India and Modi as a ‘great gentleman.’ India had eased off Russian oil at his request to end the ‘horrible war’ killing 25,000 monthly, Trump claimed. He repeated that tariffs stopped last summer’s India-Pakistan conflict.

‘They’ll be paying tariffs, and we will not,’ Trump added. He called the pact fair, reversing years where India, under Modi, ‘ripped us off.’

Congress communications head Jairam Ramesh highlighted Trump’s insistence the deal persists despite the verdict. The party sees vulnerability in the shifted tariff basis, urging Modi to seize the opening for better terms.