US lawmakers move to end Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports

Congress moves to curb Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose 50% tariffs on Indian good

December 13, 2025

Trump’s India tariffs face growing resistance in US Congress

Democrats seek to reset strained US–India trade ties

Three members of the US House of Representatives on Friday introduced a resolution seeking to terminate President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration that enabled the imposition of steep tariffs—up to 50 per cent—on imports from India, calling the move illegal, counterproductive, and damaging to American workers and consumers.

The resolution has been introduced by Congresswoman Deborah Ross, Congressman Marc Veasey, and Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, and follows a bipartisan Senate initiative aimed at ending similar emergency-based tariffs on Brazil and curbing the President’s authority to impose duties unilaterally.

According to a statement accompanying the resolution, lawmakers are seeking to rescind the additional 25 per cent “secondary” tariffs imposed on Indian goods on August 27, 2025, which were layered on top of earlier reciprocal duties. Together, these measures raised tariffs on many Indian-origin products to 50 per cent under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Lawmakers warn of economic fallout

Congresswoman Ross said the tariffs were harming both US businesses and consumers, particularly in states with deep economic ties to India.

“North Carolina’s economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian-American community,” Ross said, noting that Indian companies have invested over $1 billion in the state, creating thousands of jobs in life sciences, technology, and manufacturing, while North Carolina firms export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of goods to India each year.

Congressman Veasey echoed the concerns, saying the tariffs functioned as a tax on American households. “India is an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, and these illegal tariffs are a tax on everyday North Texans who are already struggling with rising costs,” he said.

‘Counterproductive and harmful’: Krishnamoorthi

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi described the tariffs as damaging to US supply chains and bilateral relations.

“Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers,” he said. Ending the tariffs, he added, would help strengthen US–India economic and security cooperation at a time of growing global uncertainty.

The lawmakers stressed that restoring stable trade relations with India is essential for long-term economic resilience and strategic alignment.

Pushback against unilateral trade powers

The resolution forms part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to challenge what they describe as the President’s misuse of emergency powers to impose sweeping trade restrictions without congressional approval.

Earlier in October, Ross, Veasey and Krishnamoorthi—along with Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other lawmakers—had written to President Trump urging him to reverse the India tariffs and repair strained bilateral ties.

“Ending Trump’s India tariffs is part of a broader effort to reclaim Congress’ constitutional authority over trade and stop the President from using emergency powers to impose misguided trade policies,” the statement said.

Background to the tariffs

In August, the Trump administration imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods effective August 1, followed days later by an additional 25 per cent hike, taking the total levy to 50 per cent. The move was justified by the White House on the grounds that India’s continued purchases of Russian oil were allegedly helping finance Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.

India has rejected the characterisation, while US lawmakers and industry groups have warned that the tariffs risk long-term damage to one of America’s fastest-growing trade partnerships.

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