US Democrats question Trump’s 50% tariffs, ask why India exempted, not China

Democrats in the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee have strongly criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods, saying the move unfairly targets India, threatens bilateral relations, and does little to help Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.

The criticism came soon after the new tariffs took effect on Wednesday. According to the Indian government, the measures are expected to hit $48.2 billion worth of exports, making shipments to the US commercially unviable for many industries. Experts warn this could lead to job losses in India and have ripple effects on its fast-growing economy.

Democrats question targeting India, not China

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats questioned why Trump chose to single out India when other countries, such as China, continue to buy far larger quantities of Russian oil.

“Instead of imposing sanctions on China or others purchasing larger amounts of Russian oil, Trump is singling out India with tariffs, hurting Americans and sabotaging the US-India relationship in the process,” the committee wrote.

The panel argued that the tariffs will neither punish Russian President Vladimir Putin nor stop his war in Ukraine. Instead, they believe the measures are a form of political theatre that damages ties with one of Washington’s key partners.

“Tariffing India won’t stop Putin. If Trump really wanted to address Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, he should punish Putin directly and give Ukraine the military aid it needs. Everything else is smoke and mirrors,” the committee said earlier this month, ahead of the announcement.

Democrats also accused Trump of weakening Ukraine’s position in negotiations with Russia. “If Trump truly wanted to end the war, he would ensure Ukraine remained strong in talks rather than forcing it into Putin’s maximalist surrender terms,” they added.

Impact on India–US trade relations

President Trump had initially announced a 25% tariff on Indian exports. Earlier this month, he signed an executive order doubling that figure, raising total duties to 50%, citing India’s purchase of Russian oil as the reason.

While the US has previously pressured India to reduce its oil imports from Russia, New Delhi has maintained that its purchases are guided by national interest and energy security. India has also insisted that it continues to engage with both Washington and Moscow while upholding its independent foreign policy.

The sudden jump in tariffs, however, is likely to strain economic relations. In recent years, India and the US have expanded trade ties, with technology, defence, and energy sectors seeing significant growth. But the relationship has also faced recurring disputes over market access, intellectual property, and domestic protectionist policies in both countries.

Indian officials, quoted by the Associated Press, said the steep tariff hike could make many of its exports to the US commercially unviable. Industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and agricultural goods are expected to be hit hard. This, in turn, could slow down India’s export-driven growth and threaten thousands of jobs in small and medium-sized businesses.

Economists warn that the tariffs could also affect American consumers. Higher duties often raise the cost of imported goods, which can feed into inflation and reduce choices for buyers. Democrats have highlighted this point, saying Trump’s policy not only hurts India but also increases costs for Americans.

A test for India–US strategic partnership

The timing of the tariff decision has raised concerns because India and the US have been working to strengthen their strategic partnership in areas such as defence, technology, climate change, and counterterrorism. The two countries are also part of broader alliances, including the Quad grouping with Japan and Australia, aimed at balancing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Critics fear that Trump’s move could undermine this partnership by creating distrust. Experts say India may now seek to deepen its economic ties with other partners, including the European Union and Southeast Asian countries, to reduce its dependence on the US market.

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At the same time, the move could push India closer to Russia, a development Washington has long tried to avoid. Analysts point out that instead of isolating Moscow, the tariffs risk alienating New Delhi, a crucial democratic ally.

Despite these tensions, trade between India and the US has continued to grow over the past decade. In 2024, bilateral trade reached nearly $200 billion, making the US India’s largest trading partner. But the latest tariff hike has cast uncertainty over how long this upward trend can continue.

Looking ahead

The coming months will reveal whether Trump’s tariff policy becomes a long-term strategy or if it is adjusted under pressure from businesses, lawmakers, and diplomatic channels. Some Democrats have already called for reversing the decision, while Indian officials are expected to raise the issue through official talks.

For now, the sharp criticism from Democrats signals that the debate over tariffs is not just about economics but also about foreign policy priorities. As the Ukraine war continues, questions remain about how Washington balances its stance on Russia with the need to maintain strong partnerships with allies like India.