US tariff hike: Secular Progressive Alliance protests Centre’s neglect of industrial hubs

TIRUPUR: The Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), led by the DMK, on Tuesday staged a demonstration in Tirupur against the Union govt for neglecting industrial hubs which have been severely affected by the 50% tariff hike imposed by the US against India. The protest was held in front of the memorial of freedom fighter Tirupur Kumaran.

Chief minister M K Stalin stated that the SPA’s demonstration was a grand success and urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate action to support Tirupur exporters hit by US tariffs. In a post on his official X handle, Stalin said the tariff, imposed by US President Donald Trump, severely affected Tirupur.

The chief minister said he had already highlighted relief measures in a letter to the Prime Minister and urged him to announce them immediately, engage in talks with the US and do justice to his title of Vishwa Guru.

While addressing the demonstration, DMK MP A Raja said, “The 50% tariff is not just against the Indian market or products; it is a war against our country.”

“If Prime Minister Modi has patriotism, he should announce a special package and a new policy on taxation. If he does not do this, the BJP government will be removed,” he said.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said Indian goods would become more expensive in the US due to higher tariffs while products from other countries would be cheaper.

CPM MP Su Venkatesan said India’s economy is worth $90 billion, and nearly half of it was affected by the tariff imposition. The arrogance with which Trump imposed these tariffs is the result of 12 years of foreign economic policy pursued by the Modi govt. Modi’s policies, which lean towards dependence on the United States and Trump, are to blame. The US has been taking steps to crush Indian products, he said.

K Subbarayan MP said due to higher tariffs, competing countries are poised to capture the US market, and orders are being cancelled.

General secretary of the Tirupur Exporters’ Association N Thirukkumaran said the textile industry is most affected by the 50% tariff imposed by the US. Tirupur exports goods worth Rs 45,000 crore annually. Of this, exports worth Rs 15,000 crore are sent to the United States alone. Therefore, the Union govt must take immediate action, he urged.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko, former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president KV Thangkabalu, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president MH Jawahirullah and others also spoke on the occasion.