Three US House members move to overturn Trump’s 50% tariffs on India

US lawmakers introduce resolution to end Trump’s 50% tariffs on India

Three members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a resolution seeking to end President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration, which led to tariffs of up to 50 percent on imports from India. The lawmakers described the duties as “illegal” and warned that they would harm American workers, consumers, and US-India relations.

The resolution was introduced by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, following a bipartisan Senate effort to roll back similar emergency-based tariffs on Brazil and limit the President’s authority to impose duties using emergency powers.

According to the resolution, the lawmakers are seeking to revoke the additional 25 per cent “secondary” tariffs imposed on India on August 27, 2025, which were added to earlier reciprocal duties. Together, the measures raised tariffs on many Indian-origin goods to 50 per cent under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

"North Carolina's economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community," said Congresswoman Ross, noting that Indian companies have invested more than a billion dollars in the state, generating thousands of jobs in life sciences and technology, while North Carolina exporters send hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of goods to India each year.

"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," Congressman Veasey said.

Krishnamoorthi echoed those concerns, calling the tariffs “counterproductive” and warning of broader economic fallout. "Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers. Ending these damaging tariffs will allow the United States to engage with India to advance our shared economic and security needs," he said.

The resolution is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to challenge the Trump administration’s unilateral trade actions and recalibrate ties with India. Earlier in October, Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthi, along with Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other lawmakers, urged the President to reverse the tariff measures and repair strained bilateral relations.

"Ending Trump's India tariffs is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to reclaim Congress's constitutional authority over trade and to stop the President from using emergency powers to unilaterally impose his misguided trade policies," the release said.

Trump imposed the first 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods starting August 1, followed by another 25 per cent hike days later. The administration cited India’s continued purchase of Russian oil as justification, arguing it contributed to Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

Despite continued cooperation between India and the US in defence, technology, and geopolitics, the escalating economic tensions have emerged as a key challenge for the bilateral partnership.

(With agency inputs)