Washington (Rajeev Sharma): A group of US lawmakers has moved to challenge President Donald Trump’s decision to sharply raise tariffs on goods imported from India, introducing a House resolution that would cancel the emergency order behind the levies.
The proposal, led by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey and Raja Krishnamoorthi, targets trade duties that climbed to 50 per cent on a range of Indian products. The lawmakers argue that the action, taken under emergency powers, exceeds presidential authority and is hurting American businesses, workers and consumers.
The resolution seeks to reverse an additional 25 per cent surcharge imposed in late August 2025, which followed an earlier tariff hike and significantly increased costs for companies dependent on Indian supply chains. The duties were enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a move critics say was never intended for routine trade disputes.
Speaking on the issue, Ross pointed to the strong economic ties between India and several US states, including North Carolina, where Indian-owned companies have invested heavily and created thousands of jobs. She warned that higher tariffs threaten exports and investment flows that support local economies.
Veasey said the increased import costs are being passed on to households, placing extra strain on families already facing inflation. He also stressed that India remains a key economic and strategic partner, and that trade penalties risk undermining long-term cooperation.
Krishnamoorthi described the tariffs as damaging to US competitiveness, noting that disrupted supply chains and higher input costs ultimately weaken American manufacturing. He added that restoring normal trade relations would strengthen collaboration between Washington and New Delhi on shared economic and security priorities.
The House action comes amid wider congressional efforts to curb the president’s unilateral use of emergency declarations to impose trade restrictions. Earlier, the Senate advanced bipartisan legislation aimed at limiting similar tariffs on Brazil.
Trump’s administration introduced the tariffs in August, citing India’s continued imports of Russian oil. The White House argued that the purchases indirectly supported Russia’s war in Ukraine, a justification that has been challenged by several members of Congress.
