Free trade agreement has been signed between India and European Union. America’s displeasure regarding this has once again come to the fore. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant strongly criticized the agreement, saying that Europe has prioritized trade interests over its declared principles amid the Ukraine war. Talking to CNBC, Besant said that the attitude of European countries is very disappointing. According to him, the EU talks about its support for Ukraine in public forums, but in practice it gives preference to trade. He said that Europe has the right to look after its own interests, but this decision has raised questions on its claims.

What is there in the India-European Union deal?

This statement has come at a time when India and the European Union announced the completion of their free trade agreement negotiations on 27 January 2026. Under this agreement, the European Union will remove tariffs on 99.5 percent of the products coming from India. The duty on most of these products will become zero as soon as the agreement comes into force. At the same time, India has agreed to give concession in tariff on 97.5 percent of the total trade value between the two economies. A joint political declaration was signed on this agreement by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and European Commission Trade Commissioner Marosh Shefchovich. The event took place in New Delhi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Angered by not imposing tariff on India

The US Treasury Secretary also said that this is the reason why the European Union did not support America’s decision to impose high tariffs on India last year. According to Besant, European countries were not ready to stand with America because they wanted to finalize this trade agreement with India. India-EU Free Trade Agreement is being considered historical.

How was India linked to Ukraine war?

Besant alleged that European countries were indirectly providing financial help to the ongoing war against Russia. He said that Russian crude oil goes to India, it is refined there and then the same product is bought in Europe. In this way Europe is funding the war going on against itself. Besant also claimed that the Trump administration has taken greater steps than Europe to put pressure on Russia and end the war. According to him, America has made more sacrifices in this struggle.