Rahul Gandhi (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called US President Donald Trump‘s extra 25 per cent tariff on India an “economic blackmail” to bully New Delhi into an unfair trade deal.“Trump’s 50% tariff is economic blackmail – an attempt to bully India into an unfair trade deal. PM Modi better not let his weakness override the interests of the Indian people,” the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha wrote on X.Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff rate on India for its continued purchase of Russian crude oil. The tariff is scheduled to take effect in three weeks and will be imposed in addition to a separate 25 per cent duty taking effect this Thursday.Earlier in the day, the Raebareli MP took a swipe at PM Modi for his silence over US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats. In a sharp attack, Gandhi said that PM Modi can’t take a stand against Trump despite his repeated tariff threats because of the “US investigation into Adani.” In a post on X, the Congress leader said, “India please understand: The reason PM Modi cannot stand up to President Trump despite his repeated threats is the ongoing US investigation into Adani.” “One threat is to expose the financial links between Modi, AA, and Russian oil deals,” he said, adding, “Modi’s hands are tied.”Reacting to Trump’s tariffs, India defended its sovereign right to conduct energy policy based on national interest. The government clarified that market dynamics and national interests would continue to guide India’s energy purchases.