New Delhi [India], August 28 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi President Saurabh Bhardwaj on Thursday criticised US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods.
Speaking to ANI, Bhardwaj said, “America is imposing on India as if it were some kind of king and we were some kind of guilty party, and they are imposing penalties on us. So far, the countries on which America has imposed tariffs, like the 125% tariff on China, China retaliated by imposing tariffs on them… whereas America has imposed a 50% tariff and penalty on us, but we are sitting quietly in front of America.”
AAP Delhi President added that PM Modi is destroying the self-respect of India by not showing confidence. In response to this US move, Bhardwaj said that the PM should “Impose the same amount of tariff on America as they have imposed on us, then America will understand.”
Meanwhile, earlier today, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal suggested that India should impose a 100% tariff on American goods in response to the US’s 50% tariff on Indian goods.
“If US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff, we should impose a 100% tariff on America,” Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference.
Kejriwal accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of succumbing to pressure from US President Donald Trump, saying, “Trump is 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.” He emphasised that India should take a tougher stance against the US.
Kejriwal also criticised the Centre’s decision to remove the 11% import duty on American cotton, calling it a betrayal of Indian farmers. The duty removal, effective from August 19 to September 30, makes American cotton roughly Rs 15-20 per kg cheaper than Indian cotton, potentially harming domestic farmers.
“We demand from PM Modi that this order of withdrawing 11% import duty on cotton should be withdrawn with immediate effect and the 11% import duty should be imposed again on cotton coming from America and farmers of our country should be saved,” Kejriwal said.
The Ministry of Finance has removed the import duty on cotton till September 30, benefiting the textile industry and cotton imports. The move is aimed at ensuring adequate availability of cotton for the domestic textile industry, according to a Ministry of Finance press release. It also stated that further notifications will follow.
The release noted, “To augment availability of cotton for the Indian textile sector, the Central Government had temporarily exempted the import duty on cotton from 19th August 2025 till 30th September 2025. In order to support exporters further, the Central Government has decided to extend the import duty exemption on cotton (HS 5201) from 30th September 2025 till 31st December 2025.” (ANI)
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