Rahul Gandhi Slams Trump’s 50% Tariff as ‘Economic Blackmail

Quick Summary

• U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, effective August 7, 2025.
• The tariff includes an additional penalty of 25%,targeting India’s purchase of Russian oil.
• Key sectors likely to be affected include textiles, marine products, and leather exports.
• The executive order titled “Addressing Threats to the U.S.by the Government of the Russian federation” reflects broader geopolitical tensions involving Russia and India.
• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed Trump’s move “economic blackmail” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defend India’s interests.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The imposition of a steep tariff by the United States highlights mounting pressures on India’s global trade policies within an evolving geopolitical framework. Such tariffs substantially impact export-dependent sectors like textiles and leather, perhaps affecting employment in these industries while exerting pressure on bilateral trade relations between India and the U.S. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s critique underscores domestic political scrutiny over PM Modi’s approach in balancing national interest amidst foreign policy challenges.

India must navigate this development wiht careful diplomacy to safeguard trade ties with key partners while retaining autonomy in energy procurement decisions. The situation amplifies concerns regarding long-term dependence on specific external markets for economic stability-a challenge requiring resilient diversification strategies both for policy-makers and exporters alike.

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