Kolkata, Aug 7 (PTI) Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Centre over the United States’ decision to impose a total of 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, dubbing it a “diplomatic failure” and accusing the Modi government of steering the economy into crisis due to its flawed foreign policy.
Taking a swipe at the ruling party’s muscular posturing on the global stage, the TMC national general secretary said, “Those who click photographs with (US President) Donald Trump and campaigned for him in Texas should answer why such steep tariffs have been imposed. This is a diplomatic failure. It will severely affect India’s economy.” The newly appointed leader of the TMC party in Lok Sabha made the remarks at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport before departing for New Delhi to attend a meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc.
He accused the BJP of boasting about India’s growing global clout while failing to shield the country’s core economic interests.
“Those who used to talk about their ’56-inch chest’ are now being shown red eyes by other countries,” Banerjee said, adding that the imposition of tariffs and the lack of global condemnation for the recent Pahalgam terror attack are indicators of India’s diplomatic isolation.
“I went to five countries as part of a delegation. But even 11 countries, in all, have not condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. Those who campaigned for Trump, and he also reciprocated by visiting India two months before the COVID-19 outbreak, should now explain what led to this situation,” Banerjee said.
He asserted that neither West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nor the TMC had ever lobbied for Trump.
Sharpening his tone further, Banerjee told reporters, “I believe this is a diplomatic failure, and India should respond firmly to this. Those who want to weaken India and create pressure — how did they suddenly become so powerful? Is this the ‘Vishwaguru’ image they sold to the people?” The Diamond Harbour MP accused the government of plunging the economy into a deeper crisis with its “misadventures.” “I also strongly condemn what Donald Trump said about India. He said that India’s economy is dead. I do not agree,” he said.
“No one has the power to kill the Indian economy. It is surviving on the love and affection of 140 crore Indians. But I can say that the economy is now in the ICU. From bad, it has become worse in the last 10 years. And by imposing a 50 per cent tariff, there will be substantial job losses. Exports will come down. And this is all because of the poor foreign policy of the Indian government,” he said.
Banerjee warned that the decision would have far-reaching consequences for India’s job market and export competitiveness.
“There will be an overall impact on goods and services related to three sectors — IT, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. There will be a dip in employment opportunities,” he claimed.
He questioned the BJP’s commitment to national security and foreign policy, pointing to repeated terror attacks and what he described as a cycle of “symbolic retaliation”.
“In 2019, Pulwama happened, and in return, the government carried out an airstrike. Then, after five years, Pahalgam happened, and again you carried out airstrikes. We are stuck in an infinite loop, and this has to end once and for all,” Banerjee said.
“If there is any solution to this, I think it is to go and reclaim PoK and give Pakistan a reply in a language they understand. There is no other way to deal with this,” he added.
“The Home Minister said on the floor of the House that PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) is our integral part. Then what is stopping you from reclaiming it? Nothing is stopping you. The people of the country are with you. All the Opposition parties are standing shoulder to shoulder with the Union government in this fight,” Banerjee said.
The TMC leader’s remarks came a day after reports surfaced that US President Donald Trump had slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
This additional duty, imposed under the executive order ‘Addressing Threats to the US by the Government of the Russian Federation’, takes the total tariff on Indian goods to 50 per cent, barring a few exemptions.
The new tariffs come into effect from August 7.
The decision is expected to hit sectors such as textiles, marine products, leather goods, and pharmaceuticals, raising alarm among exporters and industry bodies.
“Is this the example of the global stature that the BJP claims India has achieved? If we are a global power, then why are we being treated like this?” Banerjee asked. PTI PNT BSM PNT ACD
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