At the ET World Leadership Forum (August 22, 2025):
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Chandrababu Naidu described the U.S. tariffs as a “temporary challenge”, emphasizing that India has weathered many such obstacles before and will continue its upward trajectory.
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He urged that there should be no compromise on India’s national interests, and expressed confidence in Prime Minister Modi’s ability to navigate the situation effectively. The Economic Times
Earlier remarks on economic resilience:
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While responding to U.S. President Trump’s characterization of India’s economy as “dead,” Naidu strongly countered, noting that India is the fastest-growing major economy, rapidly advancing from the 11th to the 4th largest—and projected to be 3rd by 2028.
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He underscored that tariffs and trade barriers are temporary roadblocks, unimaginable distractions by some, but ultimately powerless to stop India’s economic march.The Indian ExpressIndia TodayFirst India
Addressing impact on Andhra Pradesh’s aqua farmers:
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Naidu acknowledged that tariff hikes, especially on exports like shrimp, could heavily affect coastal farmers in his state.
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He said the state government would support aqua farmers with measures such as highly subsidized electricity (₹0.015 per unit), increased financial aid for fishermen (raised from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per person), and strategic plans to mitigate losses.Deccan Heraldwww.ndtv.com
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He also previously urged the central government to negotiate with the U.S. to ease duty burdens (e.g., 27% seafood duties) that were impacting nearly eight lakh aqua farmers in Andhra Pradesh.The Times of India
Context: What’s Behind the U.S. Tariffs?
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The Trump administration has imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods—an initial 25% “reciprocal” tariff, followed by another 25% penalty linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil—bringing total duties to 50%.ReutersWikipediaHindustan Times
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Trade Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India is approaching the conflict with a “very open mind”. He reaffirmed the importance of the India-U.S. relationship and reiterated that the nation’s farmers’ interests must remain protected. The visit by U.S. trade negotiators (August 25–29) has been cancelled, stalling immediate opportunities for dialogue.Reuters
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The looming trade war is part of a broader diplomatic and strategic impasse. India views the tariff escalation as unjust and a challenge to its strategic autonomy, especially as it seeks energy security amid global instability.Wikipedia
Summary Snapshot
| Key Angle | Details |
|---|---|
| Naidu’s Tone | Confident and resilient—treats tariffs as a “temporary” obstacle. |
| National Interest | No room for compromise; trusts PM Modi’s leadership. |
| Economic Narrative | India is fast-growing, moving from 11th to 4th largest economy; projected to reach 3rd by 2028. |
| State-level Relief | Measures being rolled out to support aqua farmers, including subsidies and compensation. |
| Diplomatic Context | India reacting with caution; trade talks stalled amid mounting U.S.-India tensions. |