Tax On Americans! 3 US Lawmakers Oppose Donald Trump's 50% Tariffs On India Decision

Three Democrats in the US House move to cancel Donald Trump’s national emergency tariffs on India, arguing that the duties are illegal and hurt American workers, consumers, supply chains, and US-India relations. Their resolution aims to dismantle a tariff structure that raised some import costs by 50 per cent.

The proposal targets Trump’s national emergency declaration that enabled additional duties on Indian goods. Using powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the administration allowed a 25 per cent tariff on August 1, 2025, then layered another 25 per cent on August 27, effectively doubling many import costs.

Trump national emergency tariffs on India and US-India relations

The resolution, filed on December 12, 2025, comes from Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. The three lawmakers say the national emergency tariffs on India never had a solid legal basis and now weigh heavily on communities and industries that depend on bilateral trade and investment flows.

Under their plan, Congress would overturn the emergency declaration that authorised the extra 25 per cent “secondary” tariffs on many Indian-origin products. Supporters argue that removing the national emergency tariffs on India would ease prices for American buyers and help stabilise business links across vital US-India supply chains.

Political fight over Trump national emergency tariffs on India

The House move follows a broader bipartisan push in the Senate to limit how presidents use emergency powers to adjust trade barriers. Lawmakers in both chambers say they want to restore Congress’s constitutional authority over tariffs and protect long-term US-India relations from sudden unilateral decisions.

Trump justified the national emergency tariffs on India by pointing to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The former President claimed that this trade helped finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine, and used that argument to trigger emergency economic powers for the two tariff hikes in August 2025.

Ross highlighted the stakes for her state, saying, "North Carolina's economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community," and stressing that billions of dollars and thousands of local jobs depend on Indian companies. Ross warned that the national emergency tariffs on India damage this important economic partnership.

Veasey focused on household costs, stating, "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." Veasey argues that scrapping the national emergency tariffs on India would bring at least some relief to consumers.

Krishnamoorthi criticised the overall approach, saying, "Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers," and added that easing the national emergency tariffs on India would support closer US-India economic and security ties at a sensitive geopolitical moment.

In a joint statement, the three lawmakers framed their resolution within a larger institutional clash, saying, "Ending Trump's India tariffs is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to reclaim Congress' authority over trade and stop the President from using emergency powers to unilaterally impose misguided policies," signalling more fights ahead over emergency tariff authority and US-India relations.