Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday called for India to impose a 100 pc tariff on American goods in retaliation for the United States’ decision to levy a 50 pc tariff on Indian goods.
“If US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff, we should impose a 100% tariff on America,” Kejriwal said during a press conference.
The Delhi Chief Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of bowing to pressure from Trump, describing the US president as a coward.
“Trump has bowed before countries that have stood firmly against him. I don’t know what compulsions PM Modi has that he is not saying anything,” Kejriwal remarked, urging the Centre to adopt a tougher stance against Washington.
Kejriwal also criticised the Union Government for removing the 11% import duty on American cotton, warning that the move would severely harm Indian farmers.
The duty exemption, initially in place from August 19 to September 30, makes imported American cotton about Rs 15 to 20 per kg cheaper than domestic cotton, putting Indian farmers at a disadvantage.
“We demand from PM Modi that this order of withdrawing 11% import duty on cotton should be withdrawn with immediate effect, and the 11% import duty should be imposed again on cotton coming from America, and farmers of our country should be saved,” he said.
The Ministry of Finance, in a press release, said the duty waiver aimed to ensure adequate supply for the domestic textile sector.
“To augment the availability of cotton for the Indian textile sector, the Central Government had temporarily exempted the import duty on cotton from August 19th, 2025, till September 30th, 2025. To support exporters further, the Central Government has decided to extend the import duty exemption on cotton (HS 5201) from September 30th, 2025, till December 31st, 2025,” it stated.
Kejriwal alleged that the decision was taken under US pressure, calling it a betrayal of Indian farmers. He warned that the move could devastate the cotton-growing community, especially during peak harvest season, and force many farmers into distress.
“In the last few days, Prime Minister Modi Ji has taken some decisions behind the back, which are a betrayal of the farmers of the country. Currently, 90 to 95 per cent of the farmers are unaware of what has happened. When these decisions come out, the farmers will have no choice but to commit suicide,” he said.
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The AAP leader reiterated his demand for the immediate reinstatement of the 11% duty, saying American cotton was now significantly cheaper than domestic produce.
“Now, the cotton that will come or will start coming from America is roughly 15 to 20 kg cheaper than the cotton of the farmers of the entire country. Where will the farmers of India go and how will they sell their cotton?” Kejriwal asked.
The Finance Ministry has argued that the exemption supports exporters and strengthens the textile industry, but Kejriwal insisted the Centre’s decision undermines farmers and favours US interests over India’s agricultural sector.
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