Owaisi Taunts Modi Over Trump's 50% Tariff on India, Calls it a Failure of Diplomacy; Aaditya Thackeray Criticizes Foreign Policy.
Trump Tariff: US President Donald Trump's decision to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on imports from India has provided an opportunity for opposition parties to target the Modi government regarding India's foreign policy. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray have raised serious questions about the government's silence on this issue.
Owaisi's Taunt - 'Will the 56-inch Chest Be Seen Now?'
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Owaisi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writing that Trump has imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India, bringing the total tariff to 50 percent. He stated that this tariff was imposed because India bought cheap oil from Russia. Owaisi described this decision as "not diplomacy, but a major jester's bullying."
Owaisi sarcastically asked, "Will Modi ji now show his 56-inch chest when Trump imposes a 56% tariff? He has stopped at 50% for now. Maybe he was afraid of our non-biological Prime Minister?"
Questions Raised on India's Strategic Independence
Owaisi alleged that the government has traded the country's strategic autonomy for the benefit of its wealthy friends. He said that this tariff will harm Indian exporters, MSMEs, and manufacturers. Supply chains will be disrupted, FDI will decrease, and jobs will also be affected.
He questioned why the Prime Minister and BJP leaders are silent on this issue. Owaisi stated that if such a foreign policy continues, India will face serious challenges in global trade.
Aaditya Thackeray Also Targets the Center
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also launched a scathing attack on the central government's foreign policy. He alleged that the government's stance is inconsistent and confusing. He cited the example that India was talking about boycotting China, but now official visits and trade relations are being restored.
Thackeray said that the government incited the public by talking about attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, but then invited the same Bangladesh cricket team for a bilateral tournament. He also asked that when the government is accusing Pakistan of terrorism, how is the BCCI playing cricket with Pakistani cricketers?
"Foreign Policy Unclear and Confusing"
Aaditya Thackeray said that there is no clarity in the government's foreign policy. He questioned how cricket matches are continuing despite the increasing tension between India and Pakistan. He said that students, traders, and industrialists in India are struggling with the impact of US tariffs, but there is no response from the government. Thackeray sarcastically said, "We were told MAGA + MIGA = MEGA. But now the tariff has become 50%. Will the government still remain silent?"
Potential Impact of Trump's Decision
On August 6, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order under which an additional 25 percent tariff was imposed on certain products coming from India. This is in addition to the already existing 25% tariff, bringing the total tariff to 50%.
This decision will have the greatest impact on India's small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and sectors such as textiles, furniture, and electronics. This will make India's exports to the US expensive and may lead to a decline in competitiveness.
