LPU to ban U.S companies if 50% tariff hike remains, announces MP Dr. Ashok Mittal
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, August 23, 2025: Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal today issued a bold ultimatum to the United States that if the 50% tariff hike on Indian goods comes into effect on August 27, all American soft drinks and beverage companies will be banned from the campus of Lovely Professional University (one of India’s largest private universities, with over 40,000 students, where Mittal serves as Founder-Chancellor).
The AAP MP said, ‘Why shouldn’t there be a boycott? As a citizen of India, as a businessman from Punjab, as LPU’s Founder-Chancellor and as a Member of Parliament, I think the move is absolutely justified. In fact, my boycott call has resonated with scores of people across the globe. Even eminent Americans like John Kerry, former Secretary of State have condemned the tariff hike and agree with me that if India initiates a boycott, then it will be more damaging to America than India.’
Today’s ultimatum follows Dr. Mittal’s open letter to U.S. President Donald J. Trump on August 7, where he described the tariff hike as ‘unfair’ and disruptive.
He urged President Trump to roll back the decision and return to principles of dialogue, not diktats. In the same letter, Dr. Mittal had asked a pointed question, ‘What if 146 crore Indians initiate a strategic restriction of U.S. businesses?’ ~ a sentiment that has since ignited an international debate, with several universities and youth organisations across India mulling similar restrictions on American products.
Today, with momentum growing on the ground, Dr. Mittal has once again clearly mentioned the reason for the boycott. He clarified, ‘USA increased the tariff to 50% as a move to penalise India for its trade with Russia. That's hypocrisy! Is the USA and its allies not trading with Russia? Then why the double standards?’
At the same time, the AAP MP also reiterated the objective of the boycott ~ to bring America to the negotiating table. Today, Dr. Mittal once again underlined the importance of cooperation over coercion.
He called for constructive dialogue where the possibility of revoking the tariff hike can be discussed at length and a decision fair to India can be arrived at. However, while urging for collaboration, Dr. Mittal reiterated, ‘India’s economic dignity cannot be compromised. My decision to ban American beverage companies from LPU is not targeted at any single brand but is a symbolic assertion. India is no longer a passive participant in international trade but a rising force to reckon with, holding self-respect at its core. Hence, a hike that is imposed on India as a penalty for trading with Russia while the USA continues to do the same is completely unacceptable. America will HAVE to RETHINK and WITHDRAW!’
Ashok Mittal’s latest statement comes exactly a week after President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, post which two things are clear — that pressure on the White House is mounting from all sides including within their own political circles and trade experts who are nudging the Trump administration not to undermine India which is the world’s fourth-largest economy. The message is clear ~ India can no longer be subjected to unfair trade diktats.
Dr. Mittal once again cautioned the USA, ’Any imbalance of trade with India would deal a far greater blow to the U.S. than to India.’ He once again called upon world leaders to move beyond zero-sum tactics and resolve this issue peacefully, reminding them that, ‘the real test of diplomacy lies not in rhetoric but in achieving breakthroughs that benefit all sides.’
With his assertive stance against tariff hikes and his repeated call for constructive dialogue, AAP MP Dr. Ashok Mittal stands out as one of the most mature and vocal champions of India’s economic dignity on the global stage.