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šŸ›‘ Trump Slams India Over Trade Again! šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø

TL;DR:Donald Trump has reignited his "tariff king" attack on India, accusing Modiā€™s government of unfair trade. He promises steep 50% tariffs if re-elected. But what does this mean for Indian exports, jobs, and youth dreams of working in the US?

What Happened?At a campaign rally on 6 August 2025, Donald Trump accused India of ā€œcheating the USā€ with high import duties. He called India the ā€œtariff kingā€ and said if he returns to power, he will impose 50% tariffs on Indian steel, aluminium, and more.

He claimed countries like India are ā€œripping offā€ America through bad trade deals. His tone was combative, aimed at energizing his voter base with the usual "America First" rhetoric.

Flashback / ContextTrump has attacked India on trade before. In 2019, he withdrew India from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), affecting ā‚¹42,000 crore worth of tariff-free exports.

But India is now a key trade partner for the US. In 2024, total trade between the two countries hit $118 billion (USTR data). Despite this, Trumpā€™s message hasnā€™t changedā€”tariffs are his go-to solution to global trade competition.

Who Gains & Who Loses?Winners:

  • US steel and manufacturing lobbies get more protection.

Losers:

  • Indian exportersā€”especially small businesses and textile firms.

  • Indian students and tech workers with US dreams.

  • US consumers who may pay more for Indian goods.

The Modi government hasnā€™t officially responded yet.

Why It Matters for Indian Youth

  1. Tech Jobs & H1-B Visas:Ā Trumpā€™s rhetoric might lead to tightened rules on outsourcing and foreign hiring.

  2. Startups & D2C Brands:Ā Young brands exporting to the US will face cost pressures.

  3. Students & Professionals:Ā Trade tensions can impact education choices, visa rules, and job placements.

  4. Indian Economy:Ā Tariffs could slow down export-driven growth, which directly affects employment and wages.

A user on X (formerly Twitter) put it bluntly:

ā€œTrump is campaigning on our backs. Hope Delhi knows how to respond without drama.ā€ ā€“ @PolicyWonkDesi

MediaFx TakeTrumpā€™s speech is less about India and more about his US election strategy. But Indiaā€™s response must be smart, not reactive. This is the time to:

  • Invest in homegrown manufacturing

  • Reduce export dependency on US markets

  • Shield young entrepreneurs and job creators from external shocks

When world leaders play trade chess, the youth economy canā€™t be treated like pawns.

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