Tejashwi Yadav (ANI image)

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports. Yadav accused PM Modi of being “weak” and alleged that he was “dancing to America’s tune.”Addressing reporters, Yadav criticised the central government’s handling of the situation. He said, “You all are witnessing how the government is functioning in this country. Trump imposed a 50% tariff. Trump has said 28 times that he brokered the ceasefire. The Prime Minister has not broken his silence yet. The PM still hasn’t said that Donald Trump is lying.”

Yadav accused the prime minister of appearing weak and aligning with American interests. “The PM has become so weak that he is dancing to America’s tune. A 50% tariff will cause huge damage to the country, and no one is speaking about it. Everyone is silent. These people will damage the country and then go to Bihar and say, ‘Look, we have become a Vishwaguru’,” he added. The sharp criticism comes after President Trump signed an executive order on August 6, imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods. The White House justified the move citing national security and foreign policy concerns, alleging that India’s import of Russian oil posed an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.Yesterday, after the tariff announcement, Yadav criticised the centre’s response in a post on X. “The US imposing 50% tariffs on India is classic trade bullying – weaponising commerce to strong arm sovereign nations. Disappointing that Honourable PM Modi Ji, FM Jaishankar Ji & Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Ji haven’t pushed back strongly,” the post read.His post added that India’s silence on President Trump’s “trade-for-ceasefire” claims was a mistake and stressed that the country must assert its trade policy sovereignty. He added that India should stand firm against economic coercion and must not alter its policy priorities under external pressure. With this new order, Indian exports to the US now face a total tariff of 50 per cent. While the first phase of the tariff takes effect on August 7, the additional 25 per cent will be implemented after 21 days. Goods already in transit or falling under special exemptions will not be affected.