NEW DELHI – A.N.S. Prasad, a spokesperson for the Tamil Nadu BJP, has strongly condemned the United States' decision to impose a 50% customs duty on Indian goods, labeling it a "desperate and self-destructive" action by President Donald Trump. Prasad attributed the move to America's perceived economic decline and geopolitical miscalculations, contrasting India's consistent global growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with what he described as the United States' "geopolitical and economic decline" during Trump's tenure.
Prasad characterized the tariff as an "audacious and unlawful imposition," predicting it would lead to America's isolation rather than significantly harm India. He asserted that the tariff stemmed from "a deep-seated insecurity about India's unstoppable rise." Prasad highlighted India's significant development over the past 11 years, citing improvements in infrastructure and technological advancements. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently revised India's GDP growth forecast for 2025 upward to 6.4%, an increase from its April projection of 6.2%. India's growing diplomatic influence was also noted through its participation in forums like the Quad and G20, alongside expanding partnerships across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, which Prasad contrasted with Trump's isolationist policies that have reportedly alienated allies.
Prasad also drew a parallel to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, where 26 tourists were killed, reigniting tensions between India and Pakistan. He criticized the US for perceived hypocrisy in global trade, pointing to a 25% tariff on India for importing Russian oil while the US itself imports enriched uranium from Russia. "India exposed the double standards of the US, forcing the world to question American moral authority," he remarked.
Warning of negative impacts on the US economy, Prasad noted that India supplies 40% of US generic drugs and its IT services are crucial to global supply chains. With a substantial $36 billion trade deficit with India, he argued that this move could worsen America's economic standing. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) indicated that nearly 55% of India's exports to the US are affected by the new tariffs, with sectors like textiles, leather, and seafood expected to be hit hardest. Think tank GTRI estimates that these tariffs could cut US-bound exports by 40-50%.
Prasad recalled India's global leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing its role in producing and exporting vaccines to over 100 countries while the US faced domestic challenges. "India emerged as a humanitarian and strategic leader, unlike Trump's US, which faltered in crisis," he asserted. Elaborating on India's economic trajectory, Prasad mentioned the nation's significant investments in infrastructure and green energy. The IMF projects India's growth to remain strong, around 7% in 2025, with global financial institutions like the World Bank also forecasting robust expansion. Prasad concluded that Trump's punitive tariffs would be remembered as a turning point, not for India's decline, but for America's diminished influence, as India continues its ascent towards becoming a leading global superpower by 2047.