 "Amid Trump tariff tirade, Gadkari takes ‘dadagiri’ jibe at US moves")
Taking a swipe at US President Donald Trump’s tariff offensive, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said nations that “bully” others on the global stage draw their power from economic muscle and technological superiority. His remarks come as India reels under record-high US tariffs.
Speaking at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) in Nagpur on Saturday, Gadkari called for ramping up exports, cutting imports, and harnessing science and technology to achieve self-reliance. “Those who indulge in ‘dadagiri’ are economically strong and technologically advanced. If we acquire better technology and resources, we will not bully anyone, our culture teaches that the welfare of the whole world is paramount,” he said.
His comments follow an escalation in trade tensions after Trump signed an order on August 6 slapping an additional 25 per cent duty on Indian goods, taking total tariffs to 50 per cent, the steepest ever for India. The hike hits a wide range of sectors, from textiles and gems to pharmaceuticals and auto parts.
Washington has linked the move to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, which New Delhi defends as critical to its energy security. The tariffs mark the sharpest diplomatic rift between the two countries in two decades, with the US suspending trade talks and warning of more sanctions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a remark widely seen as aimed at Trump, vowed India would never compromise on the welfare of farmers, fishermen, and dairy workers, even if it meant “paying a heavy price.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also hit out at the US measures, hinting that some powers are uncomfortable with India’s rise. Calling the US “sabka boss” (everyone’s boss), he said, “Many want Indian products to become expensive so the world stops buying them. But no power can now stop India from becoming a global force.”
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More ShortsIndia has condemned the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable” and pledged to take all necessary steps to safeguard its interests.