Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 16 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday raised alarm over the United States’ decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, warning that the move would hit Tamil Nadu harder than most other states, as its exports are deeply tied to the US market.
In a post on X, Stalin wrote, “With US tariffs rising from 25% to a possible 50%, Tamil Nadu will be hit harder than most states as our exports are deeply tied to the US market. Lakhs of jobs in textiles, leather, auto, machinery and other sectors are at risk.”
Stalin urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement urgent measures, including fixing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on man-made fibres at 5 percent, removing import duties on cotton, and extending easy, low-interest loans with a moratorium to help industries weather the crisis.
“I have urged the Hon’ble PM Thiru. Narendra Modi to act swiftly by fixing GST on man-made fibres at 5%, removing duty on cotton imports, extending easy low-interest loans with moratorium, and enhancing export incentives and credit,” Stalin said, while assuring that Tamil Nadu would extend full support to the Union Government to address the tariff challenge.
“Tamil Nadu will work closely with the Union Government to overcome this trade crisis,” he added.
The announcement by former US President Donald Trump included sweeping tariffs on India, with the existing 25 percent tariff being doubled to 50 percent later this month as a repercussion for India’s import of Russian oil and gas.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the US move, calling it “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable” and affirmed that India would take “all necessary actions to protect its national interests.”
Meanwhile, India and the US remain engaged in discussions over a Bilateral Trade Agreement, which has so far stalled due to American demands for greater access to India’s agriculture and dairy markets.
Prime Minister Modi, reaffirming his stance on protecting the interests of Indian farmers, said, “If any policy is against India’s farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers, Modi is standing like a wall.” (ANI)
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