CM Stalin warned Tamil Nadu is more vulnerable as 31% of exports go to the US, with tariffs causing ₹3,000 crore loss to Tiruppur, urging Centre for relief, GST correction, credit, and FTAs

Chennai

Highlighting the impact of US tariffs on Tamil Nadu’s textile hub, the ruling DMK on Wednesday questioned what the BJP-led Centre plans to do for industries in the state’s western belt, including Tiruppur and Coimbatore. The party’s daily Murasoli pointed out that Tiruppur alone exports textiles worth about ₹12,000 crore annually to the US, and warned that nearly five lakh workers could lose jobs while 3,000 units may shut down due to rising trade barriers.

The editorial alleged that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi caters to corporate giants like Adani and Ambani, he has done little to protect Tamil Nadu’s industries. It asked directly: What is the Centre going to do for Tiruppur and Coimbatore? The paper noted that Tiruppur exporters have already started offering discounts on shipments, and some units dependent only on US markets have halted production.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had earlier warned that 31 percent of Tamil Nadu’s exports go to the US, making the state more vulnerable than the national average. He recently estimated that the 50 percent tariff has caused a ₹3,000 crore hit to Tiruppur exports, threatening thousands of livelihoods. Stalin urged the Centre to step in with relief packages, GST corrections, credit support, and new trade agreements.

The Murasoli editorial demanded a special fund package for Tiruppur to safeguard workers and industries. It argued that while Gujarat-based jewellery exporters received benefits, Tamil Nadu exporters were ignored. The DMK accused the BJP of seeking votes in western Tamil Nadu but failing to protect its industries from the tariff shock.