New Delhi, August 27, 2025 – Congress senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge has on his part severely criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent decision to impose a 50% US Tariff on Indian goods. Kharge, both in his public address and tweeting, leveled the allegation against the Modi government of “not protecting India’s trade interests” when exports already face a very difficult situation.
KHARGE’S ATTACK ON MODI GOVERNMENT
Mallikarjun Kharge also used the X(formerly Twitter) platform to express his dissatisfaction. He mentions “The Modi Government has not done enough for the Indian cause. A 50% duty on our goods will make farmers, traders, and small industries suffer. This is just another instance of loud talk abroad but sparse outcomes at home.” Source: Mallikarjun Kharge on X
Also, he mentions the newly imposed tariff threatens to cause an estimated loss of nearly ₹2.17 lakh crore across just 10 sectors, dealing a severe economic setback. Our farmers, particularly those in cotton cultivation, are among the worst affected. You had once promised to bear any “personal price” to safeguard their future, yet no meaningful step has been taken to shield them from this crisis.
According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the impact could shave off almost 1% of India’s GDP, with China standing to gain in the process. Export-driven industries, especially MSMEs, are already staring at large-scale job losses. Some alarming projections include:
The textile export sector alone faces the possibility of losing nearly 5 lakh jobs, both direct and indirect. In gems and jewellery, between 1.5 to 2 lakh workers could lose their livelihoods if the tariffs persist. Already, close to 1 lakh diamond workers in Saurashtra have been rendered jobless since April, when the 10% base tariff came into effect.
The shrimp farming industry is also on the brink, with the survival of 5 lakh farmers and an additional 25 lakh dependent workers at serious risk.
India’s national interest must come first. What is needed is a resilient and well-crafted foreign policy, but instead, empty optics — photo-ops, smiles, and handshakes — have left our trade and workers exposed. You failed to secure a trade agreement. And now, you are failing to protect India’s economy and its people.
The post got popular very soon, with the help of party workers who expanded his thoughts.
DEMANDS FOR STRONGER DIPLOMACY
Kharge urged the authorities to immediately employ diplomatic and trade measures so that Indian exporters are given every facilitation and help and not left disadvantaged. Stressing further, he maintained that the Indian self-reliant movement would not be able to succeed if the international markets put up heavy barriers.
