Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Hyderabad, Aug 7: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on both US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticising the newly imposed 50% tariff on Indian goods and warning of its serious implications for India’s economy.

In a strongly worded post on X, Owaisi described the move as “economic bullying” by Trump, whom he called a “buffoon-in-chief”, accusing him of punishing India for maintaining oil trade relations with Russia.

“Trump just slapped another 25% tariff on India, taking it to 50%, because we bought oil from Russia. This isn’t diplomacy, it’s bullying by the buffoon-in-chief who clearly doesn’t understand how global trade works,” he wrote.

Owaisi warned that the tariffs would disrupt supply chains, deter Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and hit jobs hard, particularly affecting MSMEs, manufacturers, and exporters. He questioned the Modi government’s silence on the matter and accused the BJP of failing to stand up for the country's economic sovereignty.

“Where are those BJP muscle-flexers now? Was selling out our strategic autonomy worth filling your friends’ billionaire coffers?” he asked.

Mocking the Prime Minister’s past remarks about having a “56-inch chest” to handle foreign pressure, Owaisi added:

“Last time I’d asked if Modi ji would show his 56-inch chest when Trump imposed 56% tariffs. Trump stopped at 50%. Maybe he’s scared of our non-biological PM?”

This is not the first time the AIMIM leader has criticised the escalating trade tensions. In an earlier post dated July 31, Owaisi condemned the initial 25% tariff as a "vague penalty" for India's independent foreign policy and trade choices.

“India is an independent sovereign country. Not a vassal state that gives salami in the Emperor’s court,” he wrote, adding that such hostile trade measures were a “deliberate attack” on India’s sovereignty and economic standing.

Owaisi also highlighted the competitive disadvantage India now faces, noting that Japan will pay 15%, Vietnam 20%, and Indonesia 19%, while India faces the steepest 50% tariff. He argued that this would erode India’s export edge, especially in sectors like IT services, manufacturing, agriculture, and small enterprises.

Reiterating his criticism of Modi’s silence, Owaisi concluded with a question:

“Is this the ‘56-inch chest’ we were promised? Or will we only see it if Trump raises tariffs to 56%?”

With both domestic and international tensions rising, Owaisi’s statements underscore the growing political heat over India’s global trade strategy and the Modi government’s diplomatic posture amid shifting geopolitical alignments.