NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing bilateral trade talks with the US, India on Wednesday opted to remain an observer as China led the charge against the Trump administration over reciprocal tariffs, calling it bullying and a violation of global trade rules.
But India, Mexico and Argentina were among a handful of countries that did not make an intervention during the deliberations of the Council for Trade in Goods at the WTO headquarters in Geneva.
The European Union, Switzerland, Brazil, Japan, South Korea and Singapore were among those who were critical of the move on several counts, including the negative impact that the high tariffs will have on global trade and economy, especially poor and developing countries.
India has chosen its words carefully and largely remained silent on the issue, and even blamed China for creating a situation that has forced the US to resort to these tools.