After the US President slammed a 50 per cent tariff on India, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday claimed that "US President Donald Trump`s 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods is clearly economic blackmail," as per news agency PTI. While blaming the increased tariffs on India, the Karnataka CM focused on Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s emphasis on "headline management" rather than prioritising real diplomacy and national interest.

Targeting the Centre, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also alleged that "the Modi government had repeatedly ignored `prescient warnings` by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi" and called on the Prime Minister to "grow up and act in India`s interest," as cited by news agency PTI. 

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had on Wednesday described Trump`s move as an attempt to bully India into an unfair trade deal. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha also criticised "the additional 25 per cent penalty announced for India`s purchase of Russian oil", saying Modi "must not allow Indian interests to be overridden", as per PTI.