The BRICS TimesBSP chief Mayawati has denounced the steep tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian goods, branding them as “Trump Tariff Terror.” She has called upon the central government to act swiftly and decisively, warning that the move will damage India’s economy, fuel unemployment, and deepen poverty.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Sunday strongly criticized the United States for imposing heavy tariff hikes on Indian goods. Condemning the move, she described it as “Trump Tariff Terror” and pressed the central government to adopt strong measures to handle the crisis that has followed this decision. According to her, countering this “Trump Tariff Terror” requires the ruling BJP government at the Centre to immediately initiate tough and meaningful reforms in the interest of the people.
Mayawati cautioned that if the central government fails to act decisively, the burden on the common people will escalate and problems like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, inflation, and migration will intensify further. She warned that this would not only worsen the hardships of citizens but would also deal a serious blow to the country’s honor and international standing.
Speaking at a BSP review meeting in Lucknow, Mayawati’s remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded US President Donald Trump for giving a “positive assessment” of the India-US partnership and highlighting the “special relationship” between the two nations. Her statement stood in stark contrast to Modi’s appreciation, exposing the tension between Trump’s policies and their actual impact on Indian trade and economy, despite attempts from both sides to project their ties as stable and cooperative.
The controversy stems from the Trump administration’s decision to raise tariffs on Indian products to as high as 50 percent. This move has soured relations between New Delhi and Washington, with India condemning the US action as unfair and unreasonable. The BSP chief’s intervention is seen as significant because Uttar Pradesh, being one of India’s major export hubs, is directly facing the brunt of these tariffs. Exporters in the state have expressed fears over job losses, halted orders, and shrinking access to markets, underscoring the gravity of the crisis.
Industry leaders from Noida, Kanpur, and Varanasi have pointed out that the sudden tariff hikes threaten to undo years of painstaking efforts to build a stable export market. In August, the discontent had already spilled onto the streets with protests and demonstrations held across several districts, voicing strong opposition to the US decision.
Similar concerns have been echoed by Bhadohi’s carpet exporters, mentha oil producers from Rampur, and brassware exporters in Moradabad, all of whom have been hit hard by the tariffs. These industries, which provide employment to millions, now find themselves in jeopardy.
In fact, the gravity of the situation prompted Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhadohi, Zahid Beg, to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urging them to roll out a special bailout package to safeguard the carpet industry, which alone provides livelihoods to around three million people.
Through her sharp criticism, Mayawati has not only targeted the US policy but also pressed the Modi government to prioritize national interest and people’s welfare over diplomatic niceties, emphasizing that failure to act could magnify economic distress and weaken India’s global stature.
