Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal has dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “show some courage” by imposing a 75 per cent tariff on imports from the United States in retaliation to Washington’s 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods.
“We demand from the prime minister to show courage, the whole country is standing behind you. America has imposed 50 per cent tariff on exports from India. You impose 75 per cent tariff on imports coming from America, the country is ready to bear it. Just impose it. Then see if Trump bows down or not,” Kejriwal told reporters at a press conference on Sunday.
Kejriwal also criticised the Modi government’s decision to exempt an 11 per cent duty on US cotton imports until 31 December 2025. He warned that the move would disadvantage Indian farmers while enriching American agriculturists.
“When cotton from the US will arrive (in India), farmers here will get less than Rs 900 in the market. This is what is happening with the farmers – their (US) farmers are being made rich and the farmers of Gujarat are being made poor,” Kejriwal claimed.
The AAP leader said the Centre’s policy had left Indian cotton producers vulnerable during the October-November harvest period, with no market to sell their crop. He warned of potential farmer suicides, citing mounting debt pressures.
“Now, farmers of our country have no way to sell their cotton. The farmer of our country has bought seeds and fertilisers by taking a loan, has paid money to (farm) labourers, now how will he repay the loan? He will have no option left except to commit suicide,” he said.
Also Read : Kejriwal visits flood affected areas, points out 'inadequacies'
Kejriwal accused the central government of having “fallen on its knees” before US President Donald Trump, questioning why Modi “bowed down” instead of responding strongly to the tariffs. He was also scheduled to attend the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in Gujarat.
“The whole country is standing behind Modiji. He (Trump) imposed 50 per cent tariff, Modiji should have imposed 100 per cent tariff on cotton. Trump would have had to bow down. Trump is a coward, a timid person,” Kejriwal argued.
In addition to demanding retaliatory tariffs, Kejriwal called for the re-imposition of the 11 per cent duty on US cotton imports, the establishment of a Minimum Support Price, and financial support for Indian farmers. He said the US tariffs had not only impacted the agricultural sector but also hit diamond workers in India.
The Centre has previously defended the exemption on US cotton imports, saying that extending duty relief would strengthen India’s export markets and particularly benefit small and medium enterprises.
“Under Trump’s pressure, our central government forced farmers of the country to commit suicide, by removing the 11 per cent duty,” Kejriwal alleged.
Follow us
