New Delhi: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday called for supporting the central government in front of US President Donald Trump’s standing tariff hike, describing him as a “pressure strategy”, which was aimed at forcing India.Pawar quoted news agency PTI as saying, “The charge of 50 percent tariff on Indian goods is a pressure strategy. We, people of India should support the government to protect the country’s interests.”The former Union Minister refrained from directly blaming the Modi government’s foreign policy for tariff growth, but said that Trump’s impulsive style left very little space for talks. Pawar said, “We saw Trump’s work style in our first term as the first US President. I think no one has controlled him. Whatever he comes to his heart, he speaks impulsively.”The US has announced two rounds of total tariffs of 50% on Indian goods, the initial 25% effective from August 7, followed by three weeks later, among other things, India’s oil trade with Russia. Congress President Mallikarajun Kharge had earlier called it “one of the biggest failures for India’s foreign policy in recent times”, warning that MSMES, agriculture, dairy, engineering goods, electronics, gems and jewelery, the most difficult will be killed in areas including areas including petroleum products and cotton clothing.Pawar also used an opportunity to warns Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the growing regional strains. “We cannot ignore our attitude towards our neighboring countries. Today, Pakistan is against us, while countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives are not happy with us. Our neighbors are going away from us. I think Modi Sahab should not ignore this aspect and focus on improving the tie,” he said.The Ministry of External Affairs first described America’s move as “unfortunate” and reiterated that India would continue to function in its national interest.Opposition leaders have intensified the government’s criticism of the government to handle relations with Washington. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi called Trump’s tariff action “Economic Blackmail” and alleged that PM Modi’s silent response was linked to “American investigation in Adani”.
