Washington, DC – In a significant legislative move, three US tariffs lawmakers have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives aimed at terminating President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India, which have reached as high as 50% on certain imports. The resolution, spearheaded by Representatives Deborah Ross of North Carolina, Marc Veasey of Texas, and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, marks a direct challenge to what the lawmakers describe as illegal tariffs that harm American workers, consumers, and critical bilateral ties.
Invoking Emergency Powers for Trade Policy
The tariffs in question were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which Trump invoked to declare a national emergency. The initial 25% tariff on Indian goods took effect on August 1, 2025, followed by an additional 25% secondary duties imposed on August 27, 2025. These combined measures brought the total tariff rate to 50% on many Indian-origin products, severely disrupting established trade flows between the two nations.
Trump’s administration justified the tariffs by citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, claiming that such transactions indirectly support Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine. However, Congressional Democrats argue that this reasoning fails to justify the severe economic consequences now affecting both countries.
Lawmakers Call Tariffs “Counterproductive” and “Illegal”
Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Indian-American Congressman, described Trump’s tariff strategy toward India as counterproductive, emphasizing that rather than advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers. He stressed that ending these damaging tariffs would allow the United States to engage constructively with India to advance shared economic and security needs.
Representative Deborah Ross highlighted the deep economic connections between India and North Carolina, noting that Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars in her state, creating thousands of good-paying jobs, particularly in the Research Triangle’s life sciences and technology sectors. North Carolina manufacturers export hundreds of millions of dollars in goods to India annually, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and advanced machinery. Ross warned that destabilizing this relationship with illegal tariffs puts North Carolina jobs, innovation, and long-term competitiveness at risk.
Marc Veasey of Texas characterized the tariffs as an unfair tax on everyday Americans already struggling with rising costs. Describing India as an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, Veasey argued that these illegal tariffs amount to an added financial burden on North Texans and consumers nationwide who are navigating increasingly higher living expenses.
Part of Broader Push to Reclaim Constitutional Authority
The resolution is part of a broader effort by Congressional Democrats to challenge Trump’s unilateral trade measures and to reclaim Congress’s constitutional authority over trade policy. It follows a bipartisan Senate measure to end similar tariffs imposed on Brazil and to curb the President’s use of emergency powers for raising import duties.
The resolution seeks to terminate the national emergency declaration that authorized the tariffs and to rescind the 25% secondary duties layered on top of earlier reciprocal tariffs. Lawmakers argue that the President’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping trade policies undermines the legislative branch’s role in shaping economic policy and weakens America’s strategic partnerships.
Impact on US-India Relations and Economic Partnership
The tariff dispute comes at a critical time for US-India relations. This week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump held talks reviewing bilateral progress, while US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker visited New Delhi for foreign office consultations, and Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer engaged in discussions on trade issues.
The economic stakes are substantial. Indian companies have invested billions of dollars across multiple US states, supporting thousands of jobs in sectors ranging from technology and life sciences to manufacturing. American businesses, meanwhile, export significant quantities of goods to India’s growing market. The 50% tariffs threaten to unravel these carefully built economic ties, creating uncertainty for businesses and workers on both sides.
Growing Congressional Opposition
In October, Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthi, along with Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other members of Congress, had already urged President Trump to reverse his tariff policies and repair strained bilateral ties with India. The latest resolution demonstrates that congressional opposition to the tariffs has only intensified, with lawmakers from states heavily invested in the US-India economic partnership leading the charge.
As the resolution moves through the legislative process, it highlights growing unease in Congress over the executive branch’s use of emergency powers for trade policy. Whether it succeeds in ending the tariffs remains to be seen, but the bipartisan concern over preserving America’s strategic partnership with India is unmistakable. For now, American workers, consumers, and businesses continue to bear the costs of what many lawmakers consider an ill-conceived and damaging approach to one of the United States’ most important international relationships.
