Three members of the US House of Representatives have launched a new challenge to President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff regime on India. They have introduced a resolution to strike down the national emergency declaration that allowed duties to climb as high as 50 per cent. Their message was blunt: the tariffs are illegal, counterproductive, and hurting Americans more than anyone else.
The resolution, introduced Friday by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, targets the additional 25 per cent secondary duties that Trump imposed on August 27, 2025, on top of earlier reciprocal tariffs. Combined, the levies doubled import costs on many Indian-origin goods under authorities granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
‘A TAX ON EVERYDAY AMERICANS’
Ross argued the tariffs were damaging communities in her home state. “North Carolina’s economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community,” she said, noting billions in investment and thousands of jobs linked to Indian firms. She warned the duties undermine a crucial economic partnership.
Veasey was more direct: “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.”
Krishnamoorthi echoed the criticism, calling the measures counterproductive and harmful to supply chains. “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 argued, would help strengthen US-India economic and security ties.
PUSHBACK AGAINST TRUMP’S EMERGENCY POWERS
The move follows a bipartisan Senate effort to rein in the President’s use of emergency powers to raise trade barriers — a tool Trump has increasingly turned to in disputes with multiple countries. The lawmakers say they are trying to reassert Congress’s constitutional power over trade while repairing relations with India, a key strategic partner.
“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,” the lawmakers said in a joint release.
Trump first imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods on August 1, then doubled it days later, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil — a move he argued helped fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
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