“Global powers will always bully us...,” Deepinder Goyal’s bold message amid Trump hitting India with 50% tariffs

As US President Donald Trump raised trade tariffs on India from 25% to 50% on Wednesday, the world started speculating India’s response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that the government will stand with Indian farmers, while the External Affairs Ministry has labelled America’s new tariff imposition on India as “unfair”.

Deepinder Goyal voices against Trump tariffs

Reacting to the recent developments, Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal said that India should strive to become an "unapologetic" superpower.

In his post on X, the entrepreneur shared how the powerful nations try to “bully” India in some way or the other. 

United States President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 25% tariff on India for the purchase of Russian crude oil.

“Every few years, the world reminds us of our place,” Goyal said. “A threat here, a tariff there. But the message is the same: stay in your lane, India.”

The Zomato boss further added that the global powers will always bully us, unless we take our destiny into our own hands.

“And the only way to do that is if we collectively decide to become the world's largest most unapologetic superpower in the world,” Deepinder Goyal wrote on X. “In economy, in technology, in defense, and most importantly, in ambition.”

“There is absolutely no other way,” Goyal remarked while concluding the post. 

According to NDTV Profit Research, India has been hit with a cumulative 50% tariff, while products from the country make up only 2.7% of US imports.

Every few years, the world reminds us of our place. A threat here, a tariff there. But the message is the same: stay in your lane, India.

Global powers will always bully us, unless we take our destiny in our own hands. And the only way to do that is if we collectively decide to…

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) August 7, 2025

Indian industrialists slam Trump

Many other Indian business magnates have also criticised Donald Trump for the unreasonable tariff hit. Film producer and UpGrad co-founder Ronnie Screwvala said that India should send a 'thank you' note to the US for accelerating its Viksit Bharat plans.

Industrialist Harsh Goenka said India will not be bullied over its energy choices. 

“You can tariff our exports, but not our sovereignty. We choose energy security over pressure, and discounts over your diktats. Raise your tariffs—we’ll raise our resolve, find better alternatives, and build self-reliance. India bows to none," he wrote on X. 

The Mahindra Group boss proposed two urgent reforms that could help India convert crisis into opportunity. Firstly, he asked to radically improve the ease of doing business and secondly, to unleash the power of tourism as a foreign exchange engine. 

Also read: 'How life comes full circle': Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter buys 5% stake in Capitalmind whose CEO helped Zerodha (startuppedia.in)