"National surrender": Congress MP Manickam Tagore slams Centre over Trump tariffs

New Delhi [India], August 27 (ANI): Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that India has suffered massive export losses after the US President Donald Trump administration's double tariff came into effect today.
In a post on X, Tagore recalled Modi's remarks at the "Howdy Modi" event in the US, stating, "Modiji, remember your loud slogan 'Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar' at the Howdy Modi event? Today, that 'friendship' has cost India Rs 2.17 Lakh Crore in export losses as the US slaps a 50% tariff on us. Your PR politics = India's economic disaster."
The Congress MP further alleged that farmers, MSMEs and exporters are bearing the brunt of the policy setback.
He wrote, "Farmers, MSMEs & exporters are bleeding: Textile exports from Thiruppur / Surat/ Nodia face 5 lakh job losses. Gems & Jewellery sector losing 2 lakh jobs. 3 million livelihoods of Andhra Pradesh shrimp farmers at grave risk. All thanks to Modi's failed diplomacy & reckless slogans abroad."

Modiji,remember your loud slogan “Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar” at the Howdy Modi event?

Today, that “friendship” has cost India ₹2.17 Lakh Crore in export losses as the US slaps a 50% tariff on us.

Your PR politics = India’s economic disaster.
Farmers, MSMEs & exporters are… pic.twitter.com/rPcA5bDllG

— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) August 27, 2025

Tagore also claimed that global experts have warned of a nearly one per cent loss in India's GDP due to the tariffs. The Congress MP further accused the Prime Minister of abandoning farmers and exporters.

"Global experts warn: nearly 1% of India's GDP could be wiped out. While Modi hugged & smiled for cameras, China is now reaping the benefits of US tariffs against India. This is not "strong foreign policy" -- this is national surrender. Modi ji promised to pay any personal price to protect farmers. Yet today, cotton farmers & exporters stand abandoned. From Howdy Modi to Goodbye Jobs, your PR gimmicks have betrayed India's workers & farmers. India deserves substance, not selfies. #ModiFailsIndia," Manickam Tagore said.
Earlier, after US President Donald Trump imposed a double tariff on Indian imports, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that this step of his "dear friend" would result in India losing an estimated Rs 2.17 lakh crore across 10 sectors alone.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed the Centre over the Trump administration's double tariff that came into effect today, posing significant challenges for India's labour-intensive exports to the US.
He stated that India's foreign policy has faltered under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, particularly in its dealings with the US.
Trump's 50% tariffs kick in today, posing significant challenges for India's low-margin and labour-intensive export sectors.
This follows the draft notice published by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that stated that the order would come in effect from August 27.
According to the notice, the additional duties are being imposed to give effect to the President's Executive Order 14329 of August 6, 2025, titled "Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation.
The higher duties are applicable to all Indian products that are either entered for consumption in the U.S. or withdrawn from warehouses for consumption. With this, the 50 per cent tariffs on India's imports to the U.S. are now in effect. (ANI)