Indians should avoid buying American products online, says H. Raja

BJP national executive committee member H. Raja on Thursday (August 28, 2025) urged Indians to stop purchasing American products online in protest against steep U.S. tariffs on Indian goods.

Speaking after participating in a Vinayaka Chaturthi procession in Gobichettipalayam, Mr. Raja said the U.S. began enforcing 50% tariff on Indian exports from August 27 and called it discriminatory.

Urging support for Swadeshi products, he said, “All Indians must resolve not to buy American products online. An economic move must be countered only through another economic measure.” Highlighting that India’s total exports in 2024–25 were $825 billion, with only $60 billion going to the U.S., he suggested exports to other countries could offset losses from reduced trade with America.

Mr. Raja noted that the Central government was reforming the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to boost citizens’ purchasing power. “If that is the duty of the government, then it is the duty of citizens to decide not to buy products online,” he said.