Democrats Slam Trump’s Tariffs on India
Democratic members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods, calling the policy harmful to American businesses and consumers. Lawmakers said the tariffs unfairly penalize India while driving up costs at home.
Questioning Link to Ukraine Conflict
The committee argued that the administration’s justification—that the tariffs respond to India’s purchase of Russian oil tied to the Ukraine war—was misleading. In their statement, Democrats said, “It’s almost like it’s not about Ukraine at all,” suggesting that the move reflects protectionist politics rather than a coherent foreign policy strategy.
Risk to U.S.–India Partnership
Lawmakers warned that punishing India with steep tariffs risks weakening a crucial strategic partnership. They noted that India is a democratic ally with a growing role in global supply chains, and isolating it could push New Delhi closer to rival blocs such as BRICS. They urged the administration to rethink the tariff strategy before long-term diplomatic and economic ties suffer irreparable damage.
