P chidambaram on tariff war: Congress leader P Chidambaram has asked the central government to clarify India’s response to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. He has alleged that the government neither held any discussion in Parliament on the matter nor consulted with the opposition parties. Along with this, Chidambaram has also advised the Center that taking necessary steps with other countries, taking Trump’s threats seriously, should be taken.
Chidambaram warned that the Center should not think that if Trump did not announce any about India, nothing will happen. He said, Trump will put the country one by one in tariff war and then when India’s number comes, our decisions will destroy our economy in 3 to 6 months.
‘Not only us, ministers also do not know anything’
In an eaterview to NDTV, former Finance Minister Chidambaram said, “India’s response to Trump’s threats does not need to be made public in front of the whole world, but at least there should be a statement in Parliament or consultation with opposition parties. We are completely in darkness. According to my knowledge, most ministers also do not know anything about this. Who is involved in making India’s reactive policy for America’s tariff policy? Nobody knows about this.
He said, ‘If you do not want to do public discussion in Parliament, then you should invite the major opposition parties representing at least in Parliament and the leaders should believe what work is being done on alternative scenarios for Trump’s policies. I think at this time, only the Foreign Minister and perhaps the Commerce Minister, who went to America with the delegation, will be aware of what is going on.
‘Trump’s tariff unacceptable’
The former Union Finance Minister said, ‘Unilateral tariffs being imposed by the US are unacceptable. Many countries are understanding this and are preparing for the response to this through mutual discussion. As was done by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. He took his Parliament in confidence and now he will coordinate with European countries and answer Trump’s unilateral tariff. I am sure that the oil producing countries are also coordinating among themselves in this matter.
What should India do?
Chidambaram said, ‘We are a major agricultural exporter. We are a major textile exporter. We also export a lot of industrial goods. Therefore, we should work closely with those countries that export agricultural exports, textiles and industrial goods in the global market. We should develop a shared approach with everyone. I think Trump will not wage tariff war against everyone together. He will choose one country at one time. The rest of the countries will feel that we are not selected but their number will also come. In such a situation, preparations should be made to respond to America together before time.
Chidambaram said, ‘Suppose Trump chooses India and leaves other countries. He will announce that we will put so much tariff on the goods exported from India. In such a situation, we will be ruined. Within three to six months, our economy will be destroyed. Therefore, there is a need that the Government of India pressurize such potential countries from now and put pressure on America to stop the tariff war from further. Otherwise many countries will be destitute one by one.