India-US Tariff War / 'Trump is a coward, timid and timid, if the US is imposing 50% tariff, India should impose 75%'- Kejriwal

India-US Tariff War: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is currently on a tour of Gujarat, where he has fiercely targeted US President Donald Trump and the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. In a massive rally held in Chotila, Surendranagar, he raised the issues of Indian cotton farmers and termed the government's policies as anti-farmer. During the press conference, Kejriwal called Trump "coward and timid" and demanded the Indian government to take strict measures. Along with this, he also presented four point demands in the interest of farmers.

What did Kejriwal say?

Kejriwal accused the central government of bowing down to US pressure and said, "If America is imposing 50 percent tariff on India, then India should impose 75 percent tariff on America." He took a dig at Trump and said, "Trump is a coward and timid. The world bows down, but it needs someone to bow down. Shut down four American companies in India, then see how they miss their grandmother." Kejriwal stressed that a country like India with a population of 140 crores does not need to bow down to anyone.

AAP's four demands in the interest of farmers

Kejriwal placed the following demands on the central government regarding the plight of Indian cotton farmers:

Restoration of 11% import duty on American cotton: The government has removed the import duty on American cotton from August 19 to December 31, which was demanded to be restored immediately.

Fixing MSP for cotton: Minimum support price (MSP) should be fixed at the rate of ₹ 2100 per 20 kg for Indian farmers' cotton.

Procurement of cotton at MSP: The government should ensure the purchase of cotton at the rate of ₹ 2100 per 20 kg.

Subsidy on fertilizer-seed: Farmers should be given subsidy on fertilizer, seeds and other agricultural resources so that their cost is reduced and they get relief.

Accusation of betrayal on Modi government

Kejriwal made a serious allegation against the central government of betraying Indian cotton farmers. He said, "Our farmers had taken loans and sowed cotton in July, hoping that their crop would get a good price in the market in October-November. But the Modi government removed 11% import duty on American cotton from August 19. This has made American cotton cheaper by ₹ 15-20 per kg. Now when Indian farmers go to the market to sell their crop, there will be no one to buy their crop."

Kejriwal further said, "There is a discussion that a case is going on against Gautam Adani in America, in which he may go to jail. People are saying that PM Modi is bowing to Trump's pressure to save Adani. This is a betrayal of Indian farmers, which will force them to commit suicide."

"Modi government is making American farmers rich"

Kejriwal termed the government's policies as anti-farmer and said, "Earlier the government had removed the import duty on American cotton till September, and now it has been extended till December. The textile industry has already bought cheap American cotton. Now Indian farmers' cotton will not be sold at all." He said that when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, cotton farmers used to get ₹ 1500-1700 per 20 kg, but today when he is the Prime Minister, farmers are not even getting ₹ 1200. Kejriwal warned that due to this policy, the price of cotton can go down to even ₹ 900 per 20 kg, which will cause huge losses to the farmers.

Chotila Rally: Call for unity in support of farmers

Kejriwal appealed to all political parties and farmer organizations to raise this issue unitedly in a rally held in Chotila, Gujarat on September 7. He said, "Cotton farmers of Gujarat, Vidarbha, Telangana and Punjab will be the most affected. Vidarbha already has the highest rate of farmer suicides. This policy of the government will leave farmers with no option other than suicide."