(Image source from: x.com/WhiteHouse)
On Friday, three representatives from the US House brought forth a resolution to end President Donald Trump's emergency statement that led to tariffs as high as 50 percent on goods imported from India. They labeled these actions as “illegal” and detrimental to American workers, consumers, and US-India relations. This resolution was led by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, and it follows a Senate proposal aimed at terminating similar tariffs on Brazil and limiting the President's use of emergency powers to increase import taxes. According to the announcement, the resolution aims to remove the extra 25 percent "secondary" tariffs placed on India starting on August 27, 2025, which added to previous reciprocal tariffs, thus boosting tariffs on various products from India to 50 percent under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Congresswoman Ross stated that North Carolina's economy is closely linked to India through trade, investment, and a strong Indian American community. She pointed out that Indian businesses have invested over one billion dollars in North Carolina, generating thousands of jobs in fields like life sciences and technology, while North Carolina companies send hundreds of millions of dollars worth of goods to India every year. Congressman Veasey mentioned that India is a key cultural, economic, and strategic ally, arguing that these unfair tariffs are an extra burden on North Texans who are already facing rising prices.
On the other hand, Congressman Krishnamoorthi, who is of Indian descent, remarked that the tariffs were “not helpful, disrupt supply chains, hurt American workers, and increase expenses for consumers.” He emphasized that removing them would promote stronger economic and security partnerships between the US and India.
Krishnamoorthi stated that rather than benefiting American interests or security, these tariffs are detrimental by interrupting supply chains, damaging American jobs, and raising consumer prices. He added that eliminating these harmful tariffs would allow the US to collaborate with India on shared economic and security goals. The resolution is part of a larger effort by Democratic members of Congress to question Trump’s one-sided trade actions and to improve America's connection with India. Earlier in October, Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthi, along with Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other Congress members, called on the President to change his tariff strategies and mend the strained relationship with India. The announcement stated, “Ending Trump's tariffs on India is part of a bigger plan by congressional Democrats to restore Congress's constitutional power over trade and prevent the President from misusing emergency powers to impose his flawed trade decisions.”
In August, Trump enacted a 25 percent tariff on Indian products beginning August 1, followed by an additional 25 percent increase shortly after, citing India’s ongoing purchase of Russian oil, bringing the total to 50 percent, and asserting that it supports Russia's military actions in Ukraine.
