NEW DELHI, Feb 27: Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for reciprocal tariffs, the Congress party asserted on Thursday (February 27, 2025) that the Modi government must confront the “humiliation” and make it clear to the U.S. that such actions are unacceptable, as they could “devastate” India’s economy.
During a press conference, Congress’s Ajoy Kumar showcased video clips of both French President Emmanuel Macron’s conversation with Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interactions with the U.S. leader, pointing out that the Indian PM remained silent while Trump criticized India.
“We witnessed Emmanuel Macron correcting Trump, indicating that he was mistaken. In stark contrast, while Narendra Modi was present, Trump continued to disparage India,” Kumar remarked at the AICC office located on Akbar Road.
Kumar noted that although Modi refers to Trump as his best friend, the U.S. President “continuously seeks to belittle India.” He stated, “BJP representatives frequently label Modi a ‘Vishwa Guru’, yet during Modi’s visit to America, Trump didn’t even show up to greet him.”
Highlighting Trump’s assertions regarding reciprocal tariffs, Kumar warned that removing tariffs on commodities like apples would harm Himachal Pradesh’s apple farmers. He also mentioned that eliminating tariffs on grapes would adversely affect producers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
“Furthermore, if tariffs on automobiles are lifted, the Indian car industry could incur significant losses. Today, a plethora of electronic goods is being imported from China. If more products start flowing in from abroad, what will we be manufacturing domestically?” he questioned. Kumar accused Trump of attempting to “humiliate” India through these tariff demands.
“This government exhibits utter shamelessness, as prior to Modi’s visit to the U.S., it reduced customs duties on Harley Davidson and Tesla… The economy is in turmoil under Modi’s administration,” he claimed.
He asserted that the stock market is in poor condition; investors are not making gains and are continuously withdrawing funds. Kumar warned that reciprocal tariffs could lead to a GDP decline of 0.5 to 0.6%, further deteriorating the nation’s economic health, labeling Modi as an enemy of the economy.
“From demonetization to flawed GST implementation, unplanned lockdowns, and now this tariff crisis, Modi is steering the country towards destruction,” he emphasized.
Kumar urged the government to firmly communicate to the U.S. that reciprocal tariffs will not be tolerated, citing how Canada and Mexico successfully negotiated against tariffs.
“India must present a strong case and engage with the Trump administration, asserting that such conditions are unacceptable,” he detailed.
He also criticized the government’s silence regarding Trump’s allocation of funds for maintenance of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.
“After Modi returned from his U.S. tour, it was revealed that approximately ₹3,000 crore would be provided to Pakistan for its F-16 maintenance. Yet, our Foreign Ministry has not addressed this,” he pointed out.
Kumar reiterated that despite assertions by Indian Army officials that Pakistan has used F-16s against India, the Modi government has chosen to remain silent.
He recalled that historically, India stood firm against U.S. pressure during the tenures of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Kumar questioned why Modi did not protest when Trump allocated over USD 350 million to Pakistan, asking if discussions regarding the F-35 jets included input from defense experts.
“Elon Musk has criticized the F-35’s performance, yet Modi has not dismissed the possibility of acquiring it. There are consistent reports about its inadequate design and technology, but Modi’s desire to appease Trump prevents him from rejecting the deal,” he asserted.
The Congress party previously stated that reciprocal tariffs undermine the fundamental principles of international trade, insisting that Modi must gather the strength to remind his “good friend” that trade agreements should prioritize international trade standards rather than individual political agendas.
This assertion follows Trump’s announcement to increase U.S. tariffs to align with the tax rates imposed by other nations, indicating potential economic tensions with allies and adversaries alike.
The U.S. President has indicated that reciprocal tariffs against countries like India and China will be implemented “soon,” reiterating statements made during Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the U.S. capital. (Agencies)
