‘The US argument is reminiscent of Aesop’s fable where the wolf falsely accuses the lamb of muddying the water’
NEW DELHI— The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a broad coalition of farmers’ organisations, has strongly condemned the United States’ decision to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports.
With this, total tariffs have been raised to 50%, in what the farmers’ collective termed as an “economic embargo” and an “imperialist attack” on India’s sovereignty.
The organisation called for effigy burning protest against President Donald Trump.
In a press note, SKM accused the US of acting against India for allegedly importing oil from Russia — an act the farmers’ body called a sovereign economic decision.
“The US argument is reminiscent of Aesop’s fable where the wolf falsely accuses the lamb of muddying the water,” the statement read.
Terming the tariffs as “intolerant and unjust,” SKM said, “India cannot surrender its sovereign right to procure oil from the cheapest source, nor can Indian citizens be made to bear the burden of inflated fuel prices for the sake of appeasing Washington.”
In response to US decision, the SKM has called for a nationwide protest, urging farmers in villages across the country to burn effigies of President Trump. The symbolic act is set to coincide with a massive joint protest of farmers and workers on August 13, marking the 83rd anniversary of the Quit India Movement.
Raising the slogan “MNCs Quit India, Corporates Quit Agriculture,” the protest aims to draw a parallel between British colonial exploitation and what SKM describes as the modern-day economic imperialism led by global agribusiness giants.
The farmers body alleged that the real motive behind the tariffs was to open up India’s agriculture, dairy, and fisheries sectors to US multinational corporations. “Over 50% of India’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihood. The US, where only 2.6% of the population is dependent on agriculture, seeks to bulldoze Indian interests for corporate profits,” the group stated.
Highlighting a disparity in treatment, SKM pointed out that while India’s oil imports from Russia amounted to €1.3 lakh million, China’s imports stood at €1.9 lakh million — yet the US has imposed only a 30% tariff on Chinese goods.
“Why is India being singled out when the US and EU themselves continue to import Russian goods like palladium, uranium, and fertilizers?” the release questioned.
The farmers’ body welcomed the Ministry of External Affairs’ response, which called the US action “unjustified and unreasonable” and pledged to safeguard India’s economic interests. However, SKM demanded more robust action.
It called upon the Narendra Modi government to hold a parliamentary review of all Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) currently under negotiation, including the Indo-UK FTA and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the EU.
“These negotiations cannot proceed behind closed doors while compromising the lives of farmers and workers,” SKM warned, demanding that the government uphold the “unity and sovereignty” of the nation in the face of international pressure.
A senior SKM leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, likened the US move to an economic siege. “This isn’t diplomacy — this is a coercive attempt to twist India’s arm. We are witnessing a modern-day version of gunboat diplomacy, only this time it’s in the form of tariff warfare.”
The leader said the Modi government should not “cave in for the sake of foreign investment or geopolitical alignment,” asserting that the real cost would be borne by India’s poor and rural population.
The SKM reiterated its call for broader unity among farmers, workers, and civil society groups. The August 13 rally is expected to include participation from major trade unions and farmer unions across states, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
“We resisted the three farm laws and forced their repeal. We will not allow backdoor entry of corporates via trade deals,” said another SKM coordinator. “This is not just about tariffs — it’s about our economic freedom.”
The SKM has been at the forefront of several mass mobilisations since 2020, including the historic year-long farmers’ protest at Delhi’s borders. It continues to be a potent political and social force on issues of rural livelihood and economic sovereignty.
