Kejriwal dares Modi: 75% tariff on US imports
He urged PM Modi to show courage, saying entire nation firmly stands united behind him in this matter.
Rajkot, September 7:
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a bold stand against the United States by imposing a 75 percent tariff on American imports. Speaking at a press conference in Rajkot ahead of the Kisan Mahapanchayat in Chotila, Kejriwal accused the Centre of surrendering before Washington at the cost of India’s farmers and workers.
Kejriwal reminded the audience that the US had recently slapped a 50 percent tariff on Indian exports, a move that directly threatens lakhs of jobs in India’s textile and diamond sectors. “America has imposed 50 percent tariff on goods from India. Why is our government silent? You impose 75 percent tariff on imports coming from America, the people of India are ready to bear it. Just impose it. Then see whether Trump bows down or not,” Kejriwal declared.
According to Kejriwal, this policy would “make American farmers richer while pushing Gujarat’s cultivators into poverty.” He argued that rather than protecting US growers, India must safeguard its own cotton farmers. If cheap cotton from America keeps flooding the Indian market, the farmer from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other states will not survive,” he said.
fertilisers and seeds. He also pressed for stronger procurement measures by government agencies to ensure that farmers receive fair returns.
Kejriwal did not limit his criticism to agriculture alone. He also highlighted how the US tariffs were impacting India’s diamond workers, many of whom are concentrated in Gujarat. “Because the Modi government has fallen on its knees before President Donald Trump, lakhs of diamond workers are losing orders. Entire families dependent on diamond polishing are now anxious about their future,” he alleged.
While defending its policy, the Centre had earlier argued that the import duty exemption on cotton until December 31 was intended to reduce costs for textile manufacturers and boost India’s exports. Officials claimed that cheaper cotton would make Indian garments more competitive in the global market, thereby reviving small and medium enterprises. However, Kejriwal countered this narrative, insisting that without protecting the primary producers – the farmers – any such measure would only serve corporate interests.
“The government says it wants to help the textile industry. But what about the farmer who grows cotton in the heat and dust? What about his children? If the farmer collapses, there will be no textile industry left,” Kejriwal told reporters, while stressing that the Kisan Mahapanchayat was proof of the anger brewing among cultivators across Gujarat.
Drawing comparisons with other nations, Kejriwal noted that countries targeted by Trump’s tariff hikes had responded strongly. “When Trump imposed tariffs on China, the EU, and others, they retaliated. Eventually, Trump had to bow down. But India, under Modi, has not taken any action. Why this silence? Why this surrender?” he asked.
The Kisan Mahapanchayat was meant to serve as a platform for farmers to raise their voices against policies they see as favoring big business over agriculture. Even though heavy rains forced its adjournment, Kejriwal’s message resonated loudly. His call for a 75 percent tariff on US imports and his demand for immediate relief for cotton growers have added fresh fuel to the ongoing debate over India’s trade and farm policies.