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| Modi’s Do Tuk Javab to Trump | | | Omkar Dattatray
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very aptly and rightly responded to Donald Trump’s Tariff bomb on India. Modi has categorically and unequivocally stated that India will not compromise with its national interest and is ready to give personal sacrifice for protecting the rights of farmers, dairy farmers and in fact rights of 140 crore gullible citizens of India. India will not be cowed down or pressurised by the unjust and unilateral tariff assault on Indian goods entering US markets. America is a big consumer market and to be fair India cannot afford to overlook it and in fact no country can overlook American market. Trump is imposing tariffs on various countries and thus is taking cudgels with several countries. Modi has rebuffed Donald trump over the imposing of 50 percent tariff and for singling out India for such an unprecedented tariff and clearly without any hesitation said that Indian government will not compromise with its national interest come what may. In a subtle message directed at American President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Modi said that India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, fishermen and diary sector, and declared he was prepared to bear a significant personal cost if necessary. Modi’s statement came a day after Trump raised to 50 % tariff on Indian goods and Trump announced the imposition of increased tariff even as the trade deal was going on but it struck because of unilateral tariff of 50 per cent. This unjustified, unfair and unreasonable imposition of increased tariff is turning Indian citizens against US and raising of tariffs to 50 percent is no good economics but a bad decision to show American hegemony and superiority in the world economy. But India’s Prime minister has clearly stated that his government will not bend nor compromise with the interests of its farmers, diary, farmers and fishermen etc. America wants reduced tariffs on products like corn, soybeans, apples, almonds, and ethanol as well as increased access for US diary, products.New Delhi is resisting these demands as it will have direct bearing on farmers. India’s purchasing of oil and military equipment from Russia is based on market factors and are guided by our national interest.PM Modi said this while addressing a conference to mark the centenary celebrations of Agri scientist M.S.Swaminathan, the architect of India’s Green Revolution. To safeguard the interests of farmers, Modi said ,he is ready to pay a heavy price personally and will not backout from protecting the interests of our farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers as they form the backbone of our economy. Trump has increased tariff on Indian goods to put pressure on India to reduce its dependence on Russian crude oil. Trump’s punitive tariff on India appeared to aim at bringing economic pressure on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, as India is the second-biggest customer for its oil. Prime minister Narendra Modi chaired a crucial high-level cabinet meeting on Friday which assessed in impact of the steep tariff hike recently imposed by the US President Trump on Indian exports.US president Donald Trump this week announced tariffs totalling a punitive 50 per cent on Indian imports over its trade with Russia, bringing a jarring stop to a period of broadly warming relations between New Delhi and Washington. The US leader has also ruled out any further trade negotiations with India until the current tensions are resolved. Trump’s remarks follow his earlier warning of new ‘’secondary sanctions’’on countries trading with Moscow. Trump had set a 50 -day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face additional sanctions, after which punitive measures known as secondary tariffs would be imposed on all its oil customers. He later shortened it to 12 days, ending on Friday, but announced the 25 per cent punitive tariff, singling out India on Wednesday although it won’t take effect until August 27. American businesses and consumers soon will have a better idea of how Trump’s foreign trade agenda might affect them now that US has imposed higher tariffs on products from dozens of countries. It has been nearly 100 years since the nation had overall import tax rate as high as the one set on Thursday.US president Trump has said there will be no trade negotiations with India until a dispute over tariffs is resolved, following his administration’s decision to double tariffs on Indian imports. New Delhi may focus on extending support measures to sectors hit hard by US tariffs. The government may prioritise support measures for sectors, like textiles, and chemicals, which would be severally impacted by the US tariffs, under the export promotion mission. Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi said, he will not compromise the interests of the country’s farmers even if he has to pay a heavy price, in his first comments after US President Donald Trump’s salvo of a 50% tariff on Indian goods.’’ For us, our farmers ’welfare is supreme ,’’Modi said at an event in New Delhi .’’India will never compromise on the wellbeing of its farmers, diary sector and fishermen .And I know personally I will have to pay a heavy price for it, ’’he said. Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods on Wednesday, raising the total duty to 50% --among the highest on any US trading partner. The new tariff, effective from August 28, is meant to penalise India for continuing to buy Russian oil, Trump said. While Modi did not explicitly mention the US, or the collapsed trade talks, his comments marked a clear defence of India’s position. Trade talks between India and U.S broke down after five rounds of negotiations over disagreement on opening India’s vast farm and diary sectors and stopping Russian oil purchases. India’s foreign ministry has called the U.S decision ‘’extremely unfortunate’ ’and said it would ‘’take all necessary steps to protect its national interests. ’’The U.S has yet to impose similar tariffs for China, the biggest buyer of Russian oil. Experts say China’s dominance in rare earth minerals gives it leverage that India lacks. India is already signalling it may seek to rebalance its global partnerships. Modi is preparing for his first visit to China in over seven years, suggesting a potential diplomatic realignment amid growing tensions with Washington. Both supporters of Modi and his opponents are asking him to give a befitting response to U.S and save the national interests at all costs. PM Modi has given a clear message to Trump that India will not bow down before tariff pressure and will uphold and save its national interest at all cost and he is ready to sacrifice a personal loss for protecting the national interests. In short Trump-Modi ties hit rock bottom with new tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases. This is a stunning reversal in a relationship that has gone from strength to strength over past two decades, thanks to efforts by successive governments in both countries, bipartisan support and convergence on global issues.
The author is a columnist, social, KP activist & Freelancer |
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