Tamil Nadu most resilient State, prepared to face any trade barriers, says Industries Minister

Tamil Nadu is the most resilient State in India, with various sectors involved in manufacturing. If any trade barriers arise, the State is definitely prepared for them, said Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa. Sharing his views on the 25% tariff on Indian exports announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, he said: “Even before President Trump came (referring to conversations before the US elections), I had a personal discussion with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary and many other senior secretaries. We spoke on what sectors we should look at….if he gets elected.”

“The difference between other States and Tamil Nadu is that we have been watching this for the longest time,” he added.

The Minister said that the government of Tamil Nadu has foreseen such disruptions and has laid down firewalls to protect the manufacturing sector. “Tamil Nadu is not a reactive state. We foresee things like this,” he said on the sidelines of the Passenger Vehicle Expo 2.0 that was organised by All Omni Bus Owners Association adding that the state has always balanced between services and manufacturing.

Mr. Rajaa also pointed out how Tamil Nadu works with many countries across the globe. He further said: “As a State we will stand with the Government of India and I hope our Ministers, our Union Ministers and the Prime Minister take a very informed, wise decision balancing the interest of our farmers, the primary sector, and the industrial growth.”

Noting that there is no clarity and it is still too early to comment on sectors that would have a blow due to Mr. Trump’s announcement, the Minister said, “They say textiles might be out of it….so we don’t know yet. There is no clarity just from one tweet. This is diplomacy and trade between two of the largest countries in the world. And you can’t work this out over a tweet.”

The Industries Minister also said that the State would soon roll out high speed chargers to charge electric vehicles in key locations. He also said that the state was organising a mini investors conclave next week at Thoothukudi and some MoU’s will be inked during the event. “We will be taking this conclave to all industrial hubs,” he said.