Akhilesh Yadav demands relief for UP exporters amid tariff crisis

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Centre, blaming its “failed policies” for the retaliatory US tariffs on Indian goods.

He urged the central government to provide immediate relief to Uttar Pradesh’s exporters and industries through a “special package under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme“.

Calling on the government to shield industries and exporters affected by the US action, Yadav warned, “If the government does not do this, the business of lakhs of exporters will come to a halt and crores of people will become unemployed.”

He cautioned that Uttar Pradesh’s unemployment problem could worsen further.

The crisis comes after US President Donald Trump’s administration imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, which came into effect Wednesday at 9:30 am. The move has doubled punitive duties to 50 per cent after New Delhi refused to back down on its Russian oil purchases. Analysts say the sharp hike could hurt exporters across sectors and dampen India’s growth prospects.

“We all know that because of these tariffs, Uttar Pradesh’s exports have been badly affected,” Yadav said.

The BJP government’s failed policies have led to the US tariffs, which are affecting exporters, allied businesses, and workers. Exporters and their families are bearing the brunt of this crisis.

Listing the sectors at risk, Yadav said products from Banarasi sarees to carpets, brass, locks, leather, perfumes, sports goods, processed foods, marble, garments, chikankari, ceramics, wooden toys, terracotta, handicrafts, glass, engineering products, furniture, metal crafts, bamboo, banana fibre, asafoetida, and more were now stranded on ships worth billions of rupees.

He also elaborated on the impact on Indian economy and specially on the Uttar Pradesh, he said, ” Exporters of Uttar Pradesh are on the verge of ruin.⁠ The payment cycle of exports has deteriorated.⁠ Suppliers and vendors of exporters are separately troubled.”

He demanded that the Centre extend special relief for all ODOP products and protection for other industries to withstand foreign trade restrictions.

“This is the time when the Government should come forward and provide special relief to all the products under ODOP and also provide protectionism to other products so that they can save themselves from foreign restrictions.⁠ If the government does not do this, the business of lakhs of exporters will come to a halt and crores of people will become unemployed.⁠ This will make the unemployment problem in the state even more severe,” he said.

“If the government does not step in, businesses worth lakhs of crores will collapse and unemployment will deepen. What is the point of having a government if it cannot protect the state’s industries in such difficult times? This is the time to forget all differences, unite, and strongly press our demands before a BJP government that otherwise collects donations by pressurising industries on every issue,” Yadav asserted.

Despite his sharp criticism, Yadav said the SP is willing to support the government on this issue, “This is a matter of livelihood and sustenance for lakhs of families. It is also about the future of industry, business, and investment in Uttar Pradesh. The government has many options to help save exporters from this ‘terrifying tariff emergency’.”

He said,“We repeat again: in reality, the shortage is not of funds but of thinking.”