Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 7 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson ANS Prasad on Thursday came down heavily on US President Donald Trump over doubling the tariffs to 50 per cent on goods from India and labelled it as an "audacious and unlawful imposition".
He said that the tariff imposition would "not weaken India" but would be a catastrophic blow for the US.
"The audacious and unlawful imposition of a 50 per cent customs duty on India by the United States, under President Donald Trump's erratic leadership, marks the onset of America's self-inflicted economic and geopolitical decline. Far from weakening India, this reckless tariff will deliver a catastrophic blow to the US, exposing its insecurities and unravelling its global influence. By antagonising a rising superpower like India, the US has miscalculated, setting the stage for its own downfall in the global arena," Prasad said in a statement.
He said that Trump's 50 per cent customs duty on Indian goods was not a mere trade policy but a desperate act reflecting America's fear of India's unstoppable rise. This move exposes Trump's lack of confidence and the US's failure to engage transparently with a trusted ally, he added.
"Far from a strategic triumph, this decision will be etched in history as a shameful chapter, symbolising America's descent into diplomatic pettiness. Once a beacon of global leadership, the US now faces global disdain under Trump's faltering leadership," the BJP spokesperson said.
Praising PM Modi for letting India emerge as a "global juggernaut", Prasad said that the Indian economy stands at a growth rate of 8.2 per cent with a GDP of $3.6 trillion.
"Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global juggernaut over the past 11 years. With robust infrastructure, self-reliant industries, and cutting-edge technological advancements, India is a force to be reckoned with. Modi's economic renaissance has positioned India as a leader in global trade, with a GDP of $3.6 trillion (World Bank, 2024) and an 8.2 per cent growth rate in 2024 (IMF). India's contributions, from aiding developing nations to forging global partnerships, have earned it universal respect," he added.
Prasad said that the US's "hypocrisy" was laid bare when it imposed a 25 per cent tariff on India for importing Russian crude oil, citing sanctions. He highlighted India's retort, pointing out the US's import of enriched uranium from Russia (US Department of Energy, 2024), which exposed America's "double standards".
"The US's diplomatic missteps extend beyond trade. Under President Trump's faltering leadership, the US's diplomatic missteps have eroded its global credibility. India's decisive surgical strikes post the 2019 Pulwama attack showcased its resolve, while Modi and Jaishankar rebuffed US mediation, affirming India's autonomy. Pakistan's outreach exposed America's irrelevance. In 2025, India's swift Pahalgam attack response neutralised threats, reinforcing its strategic prowess and global stature under Modi's visionary leadership. Pakistan's outreach to India further exposed America's diplomatic irrelevance, shattering Trump's foreign policy credibility," Prasad said.
The BJP leader said that the move to double the tariffs imposed on India by Trump was a "self-destructive move".
"India's exports, including pharmaceuticals (40% of US generic drugs, FDA) and IT services, are critical to global supply chains. The US's $36 billion trade deficit with India (US Census Bureau, 2023) could worsen as India pivots to the EU, ASEAN, and BRICS nations, isolating the US economically," Prasad said.
He went on to compare the responses of the US and Indian governments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed millions of lives, India emerged as a global saviour. India developed and mass-produced vaccines like Covaxin and Covishield, safeguarding 1.4 billion Indians and supplying over 100 countries through the Vaccine Maitri initiative (Ministry of External Affairs, 2021). Modi was hailed as a humanitarian leader, elevating India's global stature," Prasad said.
"The US, under Trump, faltered with over a million COVID-19 deaths (CDC, 2022) and a chaotic response. While India delivered vaccines globally, the US struggled domestically, failing to lead the world. This disparity underscored India's moral and strategic superiority, positioning it as a beacon of compassion and competence," he added.
Prasad claimed that the tariff imposition by Trump was driven by Trump's envy of Modi's global acclaim and his need to bolster electoral prospects.
"By spreading baseless propaganda against India, Trump seeks to undermine its strength, but this will backfire, hastening America's decline while reinforcing India's leadership," he added.