Chandrababu Naidu flags US tariff impact on Andhra aqua farmers, assures support

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said his government will take necessary steps in response to the 25% tariff imposed by the United States on Indian products, highlighting its potential impact on the state’s aqua farmers.

Chandrababu Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party is an NDA partner at both the state and national levels, is the first Chief Minister to raise concerns about the impact of the move.

He made this statement while addressing farmers in Darsi during the launch of the PM KISAN - Annadata Sukhibhava scheme. Naidu said the 25% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump will increase the burden on aqua farmers in the state.

He said the government is aware of the issue and will discuss it with farmers to prepare an action plan. He further said the state provides electricity to aqua farmers at a subsidised rate of 1.50 paise per unit.

"We are supporting aqua farmers by giving them electricity at 1.50 paise per unit of current. The increase in tariff in America will burden the aqua farmers in the state. We have taken it into cognisance and we will discuss with the farmers in a day or two and formulate an action plan. Fishermen were given Rs. 10,000 earlier, but now Rs. 20,000 each. We have given money to 1,29,178 people under the matsyakarula sevalo,” he said while addressing the gathering.

On July 31, US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Indian products and warned of further penalties.

Earlier, in April, Naidu had written to the central government seeking protection for Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture sector from the US tariffs.

In his letter to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, he urged the Centre to take steps to secure an exemption for aqua products from the additional duties imposed by the Trump administration.

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