Washington D.C. - A growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers is warning that President Trump's aggressive tariff policies are endangering the crucial strategic partnership between the United States and India, potentially driving New Delhi closer to Moscow at a pivotal geopolitical juncture. The concerns center around the 50% tariffs imposed on Indian goods, a move Democrats are calling "lopsided" and "self-defeating".
The crisis began in August 2025 when the Trump administration, citing trade imbalances and India's continued import of Russian oil, levied an initial 25% tariff on Indian exports, which was quickly followed by an additional 25% penalty. This brought the total duty to 50%, among the highest imposed on any U.S. trading partner. The move has sparked strong criticism from India, which views the tariffs as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable".
Democrats argue that the tariffs are counterproductive, hurting American businesses and consumers while failing to address the underlying issues. They point out that China, a larger purchaser of Russian oil, has not faced similar penalties, raising questions about the rationale behind singling out India. "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 U.S.-India relationship," stated the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
At a recent Congressional hearing, Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, accused Trump of "unraveling decades of bipartisan progress" in the U.S.-India relationship. She said that the Biden administration had handed Trump “a bilateral relationship at the height of its strength,” only for it to be “flush, flush, flush down the toilet". "Unless he changes course, Trump will be the American President who lost India," she warned.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, echoed these concerns, stating that the recent tensions with India were "unfortunate" and that the progress made in building the relationship with Prime Minister Modi has been undone in just months.
The tariffs have hit key Indian export sectors such as textiles, gems, jewelry, and leather. While pharmaceuticals, electronics, and energy have been exempted, concerns remain about the overall impact on India's economy and its strategic choices. The Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) has noted that the increased tariffs have significantly raised the duty on Indian rice in the U.S. market.
The situation is further complicated by India's growing energy needs and its reliance on Russian oil to ensure affordable energy for its 1.4 billion citizens. While the U.S. is pressuring India to reduce its Russian oil imports, India maintains that its energy policy is based on its strategic autonomy. However, India has been increasing crude imports from the U.S., with the U.S.'s share in India's oil imports surging to 7.48 per cent between April and October 2025.
Despite the tensions, trade talks between the U.S. and India are ongoing, with both sides seeking to finalize a mutually beneficial trade pact. The goal is to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. However, disagreements persist on key issues such as tariffs on agricultural products and market access.
Democrats are urging the Trump administration to de-escalate the trade dispute and prioritize the long-term strategic partnership with India. They argue that alienating India would not only harm American interests but also push India closer to Russia and China, undermining U.S. efforts to counterbalance China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Some analysts suggest that the tariffs may stem from other issues, such as India's refusal to endorse Trump's claim of mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of U.S.-India relations. Whether the two countries can overcome their trade differences and reaffirm their strategic partnership remains to be seen.
