‘If US is imposing 50% tariffs, we should impose 100%’: Kejriwal targets PM Modi, says India should not bow down

“Other countries did not bow down; they imposed higher tariffs… When the US imposed a 145 per cent tariff on China, China reciprocated with a 125 per cent tariff…If the US is imposing 50 per cent tariffs, we should double it and impose 100 per cent. The whole country will support this decision. No country can afford to offend India. We are a nation of 140 crore people,” Kejriwal said.

The government on Thursday extended duty-free import of cotton by three more months till December 31 to support textile exporters facing steep 50 per cent tariffs in the US.

Earlier, on August 18, the Ministry of Finance had allowed duty exemption on cotton imports from August 19 till September 30.

“India used to impose 11 per cent duty on cotton imported from America. This meant that American cotton was more costly than homegrown cotton. But the Modi government has decided to waive this duty from August 19 till September 30. This means that textile industries will get cheaper cotton. When our cotton will come in the market for sale in October, there will be fewer takers,” Kejriwal said, adding that farmers of Telangana, Punjab, Vidarbha and Gujarat will be adversely impacted.

Kejriwal demanded that the Centre reimpose the 11 per cent duty on American cotton.

“On September 7, the AAP will hold a huge public meeting in Chotila, Gujarat, on this issue. I urge all the political parties and farmers’ organisations to raise this issue. The farmers in Chotila are going to be heavily impacted by this decision of the central government,” Kejriwal said.

(With inputs from PTI)