AIADMK’s C Ve Shanmugam resigns from Rajya Sabha
New Delhi/Chennai (PTI): AIADMK leader C Ve Shanmugam resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat, days after he was elected from the Mailam constituency in the April 23 Tamil Nadu assembly polls.
The former minister confirmed the move in the national capital on Thursday, shortly after submitting his resignation to the competent authority.
"I have sent my resignation. I have resigned from my position. Thank you," he told reporters, declining to elaborate.
The resignation has triggered intense speculation regarding shifting alliances in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
Amid rumours of a potential tie-up between the AIADMK and the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), or even a realignment with the DMK, Shanmugam maintained a strict distance from the conjectures.
Responding to queries about a "new government" or specific alliance speculations, he said, "I can’t say anything. I don't know anything.”
Shanmugam, an influential leader from Vanniyar-dominated Villupuram, had been serving his term in the Upper House since 2022.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
