Modi warns of Trump’s tariff decision: ‘I will pay a personal price if necessary’

After US President Donald Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he will not compromise with the interests of the country’s farmers, even if he has to pay a high price for it. Modi said this on Thursday (August 7). Addressing a conference in Delhi, the Prime Minister said that the interests of farmers are our top priority. India will never compromise with the interests of its farmers, herders and fishermen. I know that I will have to pay a huge price personally for this, but I am ready. India is ready for the interests of the country’s farmers, fishermen and herders. Prime Minister Modi made these remarks minutes after Trump imposed tariffs. India exports a variety of agricultural products to the US and agriculture is one of the sectors that will be affected by Trump’s tariffs. Donald Trump on Wednesday announced an additional 25 per cent duty on Indian exports as a penalty for New Delhi’s continued import of Russian crude oil. Earlier, the US had imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports on July 20. With this, the total tariff on Indian goods exported to the US has reached 50 per cent. This is one of the highest tariffs imposed on any US trading partner. Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has responded that the US’s imposition of tariffs targeting India over Russian oil imports is unfair and disproportionate. The Ministry of External Affairs further said, “We have already made our position clear on these issues that the energy security of India’s 1.4 billion people is ensured based on the reasons for our import market. Therefore, it is very unfortunate that the US has chosen to impose additional tariffs on India for the steps it is taking in its own national interest.” It stressed that India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests. Relations between India and the US began to deteriorate after the attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, although the Narendra Modi government has denied the claim. Trade talks between India and the United States collapsed after five rounds of talks due to disagreements over opening up India’s vast agricultural and dairy sectors and stopping purchases of Russian oil.