Chennai, Dec. 18 -- Terming the 50 per cent US tariffs as punitive and has escalted the crisis in the Tamil Naduexport sectors, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday urged Prime Minister to resolve this tariff issue throughbilateral talks on priority basis at the earliest.

Observing that the present trade stalemate is not merely an economic setback but a looming humanitarian challengedue to the irreparable damage caused by the tariffs, he urged Mr Modi to revive exporters's fortunesand reinforce India'sposition as a reliable global manufacturing hub.

In a Demi-Official letter to Mr Modi, copies of which were released to the media here, he expressed his deep sense ofurgency and concern regarding the escalating crisis in Tamil Nadu's export...