US lawmakers move to end Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports
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Three influential US lawmakers have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives seeking to end the steep tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian goods, calling the move harmful to both economies and damaging to a key strategic partnership.
Representatives Deborah Ross of North Carolina, Marc Veasey of Texas, and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois introduced the resolution on Friday.
It aims to terminate the national emergency invoked by Trump to authorise tariffs of up to 50 percent on imports from India and to restore Congress’ constitutional authority over trade.
Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, the highest applied to any country. This includes an additional 25 percent duty linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil. The tariffs were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and were justified by the administration as part of its broader trade and national security strategy.
According to a statement issued by Ross, the resolution would end the national emergency declaration and rescind the additional 25 percent “secondary” duties that took effect on August 27, in addition to earlier reciprocal tariffs. Together, these measures pushed duties on many Indian-origin products to 50 percent.
Krishnamoorthi described Trump’s approach as irresponsible and counterproductive.
He said the tariff strategy weakens a critical partnership and fails to advance American interests or security. Instead, he said, the duties disrupt supply chains, hurt American workers, and increase costs for consumers. Ending the tariffs, he added, would allow the United States to work with India to advance shared economic and security goals.
The move follows a bipartisan measure passed by the US Senate to end Trump’s tariffs on Brazil and curb what lawmakers describe as the abuse of emergency powers to impose import duties.
Ross highlighted the strong economic links between India and North Carolina.
She said Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars in the state and created thousands of well-paying jobs, particularly in the Research Triangle’s life sciences and technology sectors. North Carolina manufacturers, she added, export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of goods to India each year, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and advanced machinery.
She warned that destabilising the relationship through what she called illegal tariffs puts jobs, innovation, and long-term competitiveness at risk.
Veasey stated that India is a crucial cultural, economic, and strategic partner for the United States. He said the tariffs amount to a tax on ordinary North Texans who are already struggling with rising costs.
The statement said Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthi have been leading voices in Congress against Trump’s tariff agenda. In October, they joined Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other lawmakers in urging Trump to repair strained US–India relations and reverse the tariff measures.