New Delhi/Chennai: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday demanded that India impose higher tariffs on US imports, warning that the Centre’s decision to waive 11% duty on American cotton would severely hurt local farmers.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said, “If the US is imposing 50% tariffs, India should double it to 100%. No country can afford to offend a nation of 140 crore people. The whole country will support this decision.” He accused the BJP-led government of compromising farmers’ interests by reducing import duty.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin said the US tariff hike to 50% on Indian goods has already hit exports from the state, especially Tiruppur’s textile sector, causing losses of nearly ₹3,000 crore and threatening thousands of jobs.

The Central government has not yet responded to the concerns raised by both leaders.