Trump’s 50% Tariffs on India Spark Outrage from US Democrats

US Democrats condemned President Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods, arguing the move harms strategic ties without addressing Russia’s war in Ukraine. They accused Trump of unfairly targeting India while sparing China and warned the decision could damage $48.2 billion in trade, triggering economic consequences for both nations.

US House Democrats have strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian exports, calling it a misguided move that endangers US-India relations without contributing meaningfully to efforts against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The new tariffs—an initial 25% duty doubled by an executive order earlier this month—were introduced in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. However, Democratic lawmakers argue that India is being unfairly singled out while larger importers of Russian oil, including China, face no similar economic punishment.

“Tariffing India won’t stop Putin,” the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats wrote on X, adding that the decision undermines a strategic partnership without addressing the core issue of Russia’s aggression. Instead of punishing India, they urged Trump to direct efforts toward sanctioning Moscow and supporting Ukraine militarily in negotiations.

Democrats further accused the administration of using tariffs as political theater, suggesting the move was more about optics than substance. They also warned that forcing Ukraine into negotiations on Russia’s terms—described as “maximalist”—would only weaken America’s global credibility.

According to the Indian government, the tariffs threaten $48.2 billion in exports and could severely impact trade viability, potentially leading to job losses and a slowdown in economic growth. Officials fear the duties will make many goods commercially unfeasible in the US market.

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While US-India ties have deepened over the past decade, particularly in areas of defense and technology, they remain susceptible to economic and political tensions. With India emerging as one of the fastest-growing global economies, the tariffs could disrupt a fragile balance in bilateral trade and cooperation.