Kerala Faces Economic Strain Amid US Tariff Surge

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the latest tariff hikes by the United States will impose a severe burden on the state's economy. In a statement delivered at a government event, Vijayan expressed concerns about the negative repercussions of the US tariffs on India, specifically pointing to the significant implications for Kerala.

He emphasized that the US, as the second-largest importer of Kerala's agricultural products, receives over 20 percent of the state's exports, including cashew nuts, rice, vegetables, processed fruits, and cereal flour. The increase in tariffs threatens to disrupt these key export sectors.

Further complicating matters, Kerala—home to the country's largest number of seafood processing units—will experience an adverse impact on its seafood exports due to the additional tariffs. Vijayan confirmed the state's commitment to thoroughly analyze the situation, as reciprocal tariffs on goods destined for the US are set to take effect soon.

(With inputs from agencies.)