US tariff hike on Indian goods blatant violation of global trade norms: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday came out against the United States for its unilateral decision to impose 50% tariff on Indian goods, calling it “blatant violation of global trade norms” and a direct threat to India’s economic sovereignty.

In a post on X, he said the move is an act of economic aggression that endangers the livelihoods of millions of Indians, particularly workers and farmers who are the backbone of the nation’s economy.

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Stating that the move is an assault on the very idea of multilateralism, Vijayan said the country should respond to this with strength, uphold one’s sovereignty, and refuse to bow to such pressure.

“The United States has once again resorted to high-handedness by unilaterally imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods, a blatant violation of global trade principles. This move endangers the livelihoods of Indian workers and farmers who power our economy with their labour and resilience.

“It will severely impact Kerala’s exporters, especially in seafood, spices, tea, and coir, putting thousands of livelihoods at risk across the state. It’s also an assault on the very idea of multilateralism. We must respond with strength, uphold our sovereignty, and refuse to bow to such pressure,” he said in the social media post.