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Three US lawmakers have moved to challenge President Donald Trump's decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian imports. The lawmakers called the action illegal and harmful to both American consumers and the long-standing US-India relations, according to a Mint report. The resolution, introduced in the US House of Representatives, seeks to revoke the national emergency declaration that enabled tariffs of up to 50% on a wide range of Indian goods.
The measure has been brought forward by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. It targets the use of emergency powers under the IEEPA by lawmakers, whom they believe misused them to justify trade restrictions beyond genuine national security concerns. Trump Tariffs, according to the sponsors, represent a disguised tax on American families and businesses struggling to deal with rising costs.
The tariffs were applied in phases. In August, the Trump administration announced a 25% duty on Indian goods starting August 1, followed by an additional 25% hike later in the month. Justification for the move then came in the form of India continuing to buy Russian oil - a practice the administration claimed was indirect support for Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine. The cumulative effect raised duties on many Indian-origin products to 50%, significantly affecting bilateral trade flows.
Representative Deborah Ross immediately framed the economic stakes of the hearing for her home state of North Carolina. She added, "India is a major trading and investment partner. Indian companies have invested over one billion dollars in our state and support thousands of good-paying jobs, many in technology and life sciences. Local manufacturers export hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of goods to India each year."
Similarly, Congressman Marc Veasey termed India a valued cultural, economic, and strategic partner. He expressed apprehension that tariffs hurt everyday Americans by raising prices and straining supply chains. Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi added, "These duties are counterproductive to our interests, disrupt manufacturing networks, and undermine US-India economic and security cooperation at the worst possible time."
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The House resolution is one end of a recent bipartisan effort in the US Senate to roll back comparable tariffs imposed on Brazil, and also to rein in presidential authority over trade actions taken under emergency powers. The lawmakers backing the India-focused measure argue that it's part of a broader push to restore Congress's constitutional role in trade policy.
Earlier this month, Ross, Veasey, Krishnamoorthi, along with Congressman Ro Khanna, among others, had urged the President to reconsider the tariffs and mend strained ties with India. The latest resolution reflects rising opposition in Congress to one-sided trade moves. It also highlights anxieties that the zealous use of tariffs could blow up one of America's most critical strategic partnerships. The protest comes on the heels of Indian Prime Minister Modi’s recent calls to Trump to reconsider his stance.
