Feb 21 News Live: India 'studying developments' of US SC order on Trump tariffs

Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer calls Trump's tariffs ‘illegal,’ seeks refund

Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer has described President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs as “illegal” and insisted that “the money must be returned.”

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s ruling, Schumer said, "First, the Supreme Court did what everyone knew was the right thing. Everyone knew that if the court was ruling correctly, it would throw it out. But it has thrown America into chaos."

He argued that Trump’s pledges on reviving manufacturing and lowering costs had not materialised. "All of the promises Trump made that he is going to bring back manufacturing jobs, they're lower. The prices will fall; they've gone higher. The number one thing people in America care about is prices tariffs have caused them. Trump didn't mention prices in his whole speech. He was like a ten-year-old: name calling, foot-stomping, berating Supreme Court Justices. He is like a baby," he said, reported NDTV.

On Trump criticising the justices, Schumer added, "I think it is outrageous. What he should have done since the tariffs have been such a disaster. He should have said, hey, okay, the Supreme Court ruled, I'm getting rid of them. But he can't, so he's coming with another plan to impose the same tariffs that are going to keep the price up, lose more and more manufacturing jobs, increase inflation, increase the trade deficit. All these bad things he is going to try again."

India, Brazil determined to take bilateral trade to $20 billion in five years: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addressed a joint press conference in New Delhi on Saturday, outlining plans to deepen cooperation across sectors and lift bilateral trade beyond 20 billion USD within five years.

Welcoming the visiting leader, Modi said, "I am delighted to welcome President Lula and his delegation to India. India-Brazil relations have long benefited from President Lula's vision and inspiring leadership." He added that their recent meetings had reflected “deep friendship and trust,” and noted that Lula’s presence at the Global AI Impact Summit had added momentum to the partnership. "I express my gratitude to the President for his friendship and commitment to the relationship between our two countries," he said, as quoted by ANI.

Calling Brazil India’s largest trading partner in Latin America, the Prime Minister stated, "Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America. We are committed to taking bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the next five years." He described trade as “a reflection of trust” and said the accompanying business delegation signalled confidence in expanding ties. Referring to the India-Mercosur agreement, he said its expansion would reinforce economic cooperation and emphasised collaboration in technology and innovation.

Modi said, "I am pleased that we are working on establishing a Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure in Brazil." He listed artificial intelligence, supercomputers, semiconductors and blockchain as priority areas, adding that energy cooperation now spans renewables, ethanol blending and sustainable aviation fuel.

Earlier, the two leaders held delegation-level talks attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other senior officials. President Lula received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, was accorded a Guard of Honour, and paid tributes at Rajghat during his state visit.

Govt to study US Supreme Court tariff ruling, says Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said the Centre would closely review the recent US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs before issuing any formal reaction, making it clear that the matter rests with the Commerce Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "I have read in the media that the US top court has given some judgment and the Indian government will study that, and whatever the reaction needs to be given, that will be given by the Commerce Ministry and MEA, not by me," reported ANI.

The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, held that the Trump administration had overstepped its authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose wide-ranging import tariffs.

Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and three liberal members of the bench, concluded that the statute does not empower the president to levy duties, a responsibility the Constitution assigns to Congress.

President Donald Trump criticised the judgment as a "terrible decision" and responded by announcing a fresh 10 per cent global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits temporary import surcharges for up to 150 days.

Congress leader Reshmi joins BJP, to contest in upcoming election in Kerala

BJP workers wave black flags at Rahul Gandhi after 'shirtless' protest at AI summit

BJP workers, supporters and members of its youth wing staged protests in several cities, including Delhi, Surat, Mulund and Hyderabad, condemning the Youth Congress for disrupting the India AI Impact Summit in the capital.

In Mulund, BJP workers waved black flags at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as he passed through on his way to Thane to furnish a fresh surety in a defamation case filed by RSS activist Rajesh Kunte. 

The demonstrations followed an incident in Delhi where shirtless Youth Congress members entered a hall at the summit venue, shouting slogans against the government over a trade deal with the US. Four protesters were arrested in relation to the case.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav termed the disruption "absolute shamelessness from Congress." "At a time Bharat is taking strides positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, Congress is going all out to embarrass the country. This is not political opposition, this is an attempt at sabotaging India's global image. Despicable," he said as quoted by NDTV. 

New 10 per cent tariff retains key exemptions, says Bessent

The executive orders signed by US President Donald Trump to introduce a new 10 per cent global tariff preserve several existing exemptions. Products spared from the fresh levy include aerospace goods, passenger vehicles and certain light trucks, as well as items from Mexico and Canada that comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Pharmaceuticals, select critical minerals and some agricultural products also remain excluded.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the newly announced 10 per cent tariff, along with the possibility of increased duties under Section 301 covering unfair trade practices and Section 232 tied to national security, would keep overall tariff collections largely steady in 2026.

"We will get back to the same tariff level for the countries. It will just be in a less direct and slightly more convoluted manner," Bessent told Fox News. He also noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling had weakened Trump’s bargaining position in trade negotiations with other countries.

PM Modi meets Brazilian President Lula

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday during the latter’s state visit to India.

Earlier in the day, President Lula received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was accorded a Guard of Honour. He was welcomed by PM Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. The Brazilian leader also held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

On Friday, President Lula inaugurated the first New Delhi office of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex), saying it would help promote Brazilian products and attract foreign investment.

Brazil’s Ambassador to India, Kenneth da Nobrega, highlighted the growing ties between the two leaders. "This is taking the bilateral relations historically to a new level. There is a very good chemistry. I think they are not only colleagues, but they have become more and more friends. That's a fact."

He added, "This is a historical summit in the Global South, and the Prime Minister Modi is really trying to include the Global South in this essential new wave of technology, which is AI, which will transform our lives," reported ANI.

UP court awards death penalty to couple in child abuse case

A court in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda has sentenced a couple to death after convicting them of sexually assaulting 33 children, some as young as three. The verdict was delivered by a special POCSO court, which described the crimes as falling in the “rarest of rare” category.

Rambhawan and his wife Durgawati were found guilty under multiple provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, including charges of unnatural offences, aggravated penetrative sexual assault, child pornography and criminal conspiracy, reported NDTV.

The court directed the government to pay Rs 10 lakh in compensation to each survivor. It also ordered that any money recovered from the accused’s residence be divided equally among the victims.

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered the case in October 2020. Investigators later detailed severe abuse, with several children suffering serious physical injuries and long-term trauma. The accused operated in Banda and Chitrakoot between 2010 and 2020.

In its ruling, the court said the crimes reflected “unparalleled depravity” and were of such an exceptional and heinous nature that they left no scope for reformation, warranting the harshest punishment.

Kharge slams Centre over US Supreme Court tariff ruling

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday criticised the Narendra Modi-led Union government after the US Supreme Court struck down global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. He questioned whether India’s approach reflected a “clueless foreign policy” or a “one-sided surrender” to the United States.

In a post on X, Kharge asked why the Centre proceeded with an interim trade arrangement instead of waiting for the US court’s verdict. He described the agreement as a “trap deal” that, in his view, extracted major concessions from India.

"Clueless Foreign Policy or One-Sided Surrender? Why did the Modi Govt not wait for the US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs before rushing to fall into a TRAP DEAL, which extracted huge concessions from India? The Joint Statement spoke of zero tariffs on several American exports to India, virtually opening up India's agriculture to American goods, a plan to import USD 500 billion worth of US goods, a commitment to halt on purchasing Russian oil hurting our energy security and several tax concessions on the digital front," read the 'X' post from Kharge.

He also pressed the Prime Minister to explain the circumstances behind the decision.

"Modi ji must stand before Indians and tell the truth. What or Who pressured you into compromising India's national interest and strategic autonomy? Was it Epstein Files? Will the GOI wake up from its deep slumber and deliver a fair trade deal that preserves the self respect of 140 crore Indians and the interest of our farmers, workers, small businesses and traders?," the 'X' post added.

MDMK forms seat-sharing committee for talks with DMK