Stepping onto the political stage with fiery resolve, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal took aim at both Washington and New Delhi. At a press briefing on August 28, he urged India to retaliate against U.S. tariffs by imposing a 100% import duty on American goods an aggressive countermove to safeguard Indian interests.

Kejriwal didn’t just stop there. He openly criticized Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of “betraying farmers” by removing an 11% import duty on American cotton an action he says will make U.S. cotton cheaper and harm local farmers. In a bold rhetorical turn, he labelled President Donald Trump a “coward” for his aggressive tariffs, accusing him of bowing to global pressure rather than taking a firm stand.

The backdrop is a tense economic theatre: the U.S. slapped a hefty 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s oil imports from Russia. Kejriwal’s proposal wasn’t just reactionary it was a dramatic call for economic assertiveness. He argued India’s enormous domestic market of 1.4 billion people could withstand and respond strongly to protectionist tactics.

More than political posturing, his comments reflect a growing frustration among Indian policymakers and citizens over perceived economic vulnerabilities. With global supply chains shifting and trade tensions rising, Kejriwal’s stance taps into a deeper sentiment India must rise with conviction, not yield to external pressures.