A joint platform comprising 10 central trade unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha has called for a nationwide protest on August 13, 2025, in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. The announcement, made on Monday, urges workers, farmers, students, and other concerned citizens to express their dissent through various forms of protest, including tractor and motorcycle rallies, public gatherings, and demonstrations across the country.
The platform’s statement highlights the escalating tension surrounding trade negotiations between the United States and India, particularly focusing on the threat of punitive tariffs on Indian exports by the US. The unions are concerned that the tariffs could significantly harm India’s manufacturing sector, which has been a crucial part of the nation’s economy. There is a widespread fear that such policies could result in job losses and economic setbacks for millions of workers across various industries.
The unions and farmer groups have also expressed strong opposition to the CETA, claiming it would lead to an imbalance in trade and disadvantage Indian agricultural and industrial sectors. While the Indian government has defended the agreement, claiming it would boost trade and create jobs, critics argue that the terms heavily favour the United Kingdom, risking harm to local industries and workers.
As part of the protest, the unions have called for nationwide rallies, with significant participation expected in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Participants are expected to use a variety of methods to demonstrate their discontent, including tractor parades, a method that has become symbolic of the farmer protests that have taken place in India over the last few years. The unions are also encouraging students, intellectuals, and other civic groups to join in, further amplifying the call for nationwide mobilisation.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which has played a pivotal role in the farmer protests over the last two years, has committed to providing logistical support for these demonstrations. This platform, which includes a range of farmer unions from across the country, has been instrumental in pushing for policies that benefit rural farmers, including the repeal of controversial farm laws. Their participation in the protest is expected to bring substantial grassroots support, particularly in agricultural regions.
The unions have also stated that the protest will serve as a platform to call for greater protection of domestic industries and workers from foreign policies that they argue threaten to undermine India’s economic sovereignty. They stress the need for a trade policy that prioritises local employment, fair wages, and sustainable agricultural practices. By engaging a wide array of civil society groups, the protest is expected to mobilise a broad coalition of voices calling for equitable economic development.
The planned protests come at a time of growing dissatisfaction among sections of the population about the broader economic policies of the Indian government. The trade unions argue that these policies, particularly in the realm of international trade agreements, have been too focused on attracting foreign investment without sufficiently protecting domestic industries. They contend that such a strategy risks exacerbating income inequality and weakening India’s economic independence.
In an effort to gain international attention, the unions have also reached out to global labour and farmer organisations, urging them to support the protest and highlight the adverse effects of trade deals like CETA on developing economies. This move is expected to garner international solidarity, particularly from those who have been critical of trade deals that disproportionately benefit wealthy nations at the expense of poorer countries.
While the government has defended both the tariffs imposed by the US and the terms of the CETA agreement, claiming that they are designed to bolster economic growth and create new job opportunities, the trade unions and farmer groups remain unconvinced. They argue that the policies are a threat to the livelihoods of millions of workers and farmers across the country, and they have vowed to continue their push for reform.
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