Leaders of DMK and alliance partners raise slogans during a demonstration in Tiruppur on Tuesday against the 50% tariff imposed by the U.S. on India.
| Photo Credit: Siva SaravananS
The ruling DMK and alliance partners on Tuesday related the debilitating impact of the steep tariff imposed by the U.S. to the failure of BJP-led Union Government on the economic and foreign policy fronts over the last decade.
At a demonstration staged by the parties against the 50% tariff on India, party leaders held the Centre responsible for the state of affairs that has put 3000 textile units in Tiruppur on the verge of closure due to which three lakh workers would be rendered jobless.
One-third of textile exports from India are from Tamil Nadu of which a major portion is exported to the U.S. India would be ceding its market share to Bangladesh and Vietnam if the Centre did not act on a war-footing, the speakers cautioned.
Led by former Minister Senthil Balaji and in-charge of Western region, the leaders of the DMK-led alliance raised slogans demanding GST concession, quick loan procedures, interest waiver, moratorium on loan payment, and push for exports, to safeguard Tiruppur industries, citing the ₹ 45,000 crore foreign exchange earned in the textile hub
Presiding over, DMK deputy general secretary A. Raja urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come out with special packages such as tax holidays, and to toe the line of late Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for handling trade with the U.S. by way of pushing for sector-specific tariff.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the tariff was aimed at breaking India’s economic backbone, and that the country’s democratic fabric has been threatened.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol. Thirumavalavan said it was strange that the External Affairs Minister espoused the cause of private industrialists with Russia.
Former TNCC president K.V. Thangkabalu said India was on a path of destruction, as textile, fisheries and leather industries were going to doldrums rendering crores of people jobless.
Member of Parliament Su. Venkatesan, CPI(M), said the Trump tariff is an attack on India and all patriots have to counter it together.
CPI leader and Tiruppur MP K. Subbarayan said that 40% of the textile products from Tiruppur cater to the American market. The industrial activities will come to a standstill, he warned.
M.H. Jawahirullah, president of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, emphasised that the Chief Minister’s suggestions to mitigate difficulties of exporters must be implemented, while E.R. Eashwaran, general secretary, Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi, said the tariff has come in as the last nail in the coffin of the textile sector that was already in turmoil for the last 10 years.
Poongundran, vice-president, Dravidar Kazhagam, warned that three lakh workers could go jobless due to the Trump tariff.
Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam general secretary Ramakrishnan; IUML state general secretary K.A.M. Muhammed Abubacker, and representatives of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, Makkal Needhi Maiam, Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, and Aathi Tamilar Katchi also spoke.
Published – September 02, 2025 10:32 pm IST
