Overview

• On August 16, CM M K Stalin sent a formal letter to PM Narendra Modi urging urgent central relief and consultations with ministries and industry bodies.
• Tamil Nadu sends 31% of its $52.1 billion in annual exports to the US—well above the 20% national average—leaving the state disproportionately exposed to tariff shocks.
• Stalin warns that ratcheted tariffs from 25% to 50% could imperil around 30 lakh jobs in a textile workforce of 75 lakh and trigger mass layoffs across apparel, auto components, leather and marine sectors.
• He proposed correcting the GST inverted duty structure on man-made fibres, exempting cotton import duties, extending collateral-free ECLGS loans with subvention and moratoria, and raising RoDTEP rates to 5%.
• The chief minister also pressed for accelerated free-trade agreements and bilateral accords, citing Brazil’s tax-deferral model for exporters as a blueprint.