“Narendra Modi ji, You kept mum when Trump claimed that he brokered the ceasefire. He has claimed at least 30 times and counting. On 30 November 2024, Trump had threatened to impose a 100% tariff on BRICS nations. PM Modi was sitting there, visibly smirking, while Trump declared ‘BRICS dead’,” Kharge alleged.

The leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said Trump has been planning “reciprocal tariffs” since months now.

“We all knew about it. You did nothing in the Union Budget to soften the blow on our key sectors such as agriculture, MSMEs and various industries. Your ministers have been talking about negotiating a trade deal with America for months. Some of them even camped in Washington for several days,” he said.

“You failed to negotiate a trade deal with the US. You had more than 6th months. Now Mr. Trump is intimidating and coercing us – but you keep quiet,” he claimed.

Noting that India’s exports to the US amounts to about Rs 7.51 lakh crore (2024), he said a blanket 50 percent tariff means an economic burden of Rs 3.75 lakh crore.

“Our sectors like MSMEs, Agriculture, Dairy Engineering Goods, Electronic Goods, Gems & Jewellery, Drug Formulations & Biologicals, Petroleum Products and Cotton made clothes shall be hurt the most. Your Govt is clueless how to deal with it. You can’t even blame this foreign policy disaster on the 70 years of Congress!!” Kharge said.

Trump on Wednesday slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff on goods coming from India as penalty for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, a move that is likely to hit sectors such as textiles, marine and leather exports hard.

Trump signed an executive order – Addressing Threats to the US by the Government of the Russian Federation – imposing the additional tariff over an above the 25 per cent levy which comes into effect from 7 August.

After this order, the total tariff on Indian goods, barring a small exemption list, will be 50 per cent.