'Insult To Aspirations': BJP Vs Rahul Gandhi In New Slugfest Over Trump's 'Dead Economy' Jibe

Last Updated:July 31, 2025, 14:48 IST

Rahul Gandhi criticized the government over Trump's 25% tariffs, agreeing with Trump's claim that India's economy is dead. BJP countered, calling his remarks insulting.

Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (PTI)

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, on Thursday berated the government over US President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs and said the Republican is right in saying that the Indian economy is dead.

However, the BJP hit back at Rahul Gandhi, saying his remark is a shameful insult to the aspirations, achievements, and well-being of the Indian people and pointed out that the Indian economy is resilient.

The Congress MP questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over 25% tariff imposed on Indian goods by the US.

When asked to comment on Trump’s dead economy remark, Rahul Gandhi said, “Yes, he is right. Everybody knows this except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact… The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. BJP has finished the economy to help Adani…"

Gandhi further alleged that the BJP government has destroyed India’s economic, defence and foreign policy. “PM Modi works only for one person- Adani. This (India-US trade) deal will take place, and PM Modi will do exactly what Trump says," he said.

“Foreign Minister gives a speech and says that we have a genius foreign policy. On one hand, America is abusing you; on the other hand, China is behind you. When you send your delegation to the world, no country condemns Pakistan. How are they running this country? There is total confusion… He (PM Modi in his speech) did not take the name of Trump, China… The military chief of Pakistan who did this Pahalgam attack, President Trump is having lunch with him, and they are saying we had a huge success," he added.

BJP Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi

BJP’s IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said Rahul Gandhi’s constant attempts to belittle India’s economic rise are not mere “political jabs" but they’re direct insults to the 140 crore Indians working hard to build a better future.

Malviya pointed out that key economic indicators showed robust India’s growth, with inflation at a 6-year low, tractor retail sales up 8.7% in June, three-wheeler production rising 8.6%, air cargo increasing by 8.1% and port cargo by 5.6%. Additionally, steel consumption grew 7.9%, renewable electricity generation surged 18.2%, crude steel rose 12.2%, finished steel by 12.5%, tractor production climbed 9.8%, cement production was up 7%, and capital goods output (IIP) jumped 14.1% in May 2025.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump announced a 25% tariff on India and a “penalty" amount which has not been specified, effective August 1.

Later, he criticised India’s trade policies and its ties with Russia. In his post, Trump dismissed concerns over India’s relationship with Moscow, stating, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care."

News politics 'Insult To Aspirations': BJP Vs Rahul Gandhi In New Slugfest Over Trump's 'Dead Economy' Jibe

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