US lawmakers write to Trump to 'reset and repair critical partnership' with India amid tariff hikes

Donald Trump

A group of 19 Democratic lawmakers has written a letter to President Donald Trump to “reset and repair” the United States’ “critical partnership” with India, following recent tensions triggered by his administration’s tariff hikes.

The letter addressed to the President was co-signed by several prominent Democratic members of Congress, including Deborah Ross, Ro Khanna, Brad Sherman, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Pramila Jayapal. Significantly, not a single Republican legislator endorsed the letter.

The lawmakers expressed concern that Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Indian imports -- with some duties reaching as high as 50 percent -- has negatively affected both nations’ economies. According to the letter, these actions have “strained relations with the world's largest democracy, creating negative consequences for both countries.” They further cautioned that the policy “has raised prices for American consumers” and disrupted “the intricate supply chains that American companies depend on to bring products to market.”

The members of Congress, who said they represent constituencies with “large, vibrant Indian-American communities,” stressed the importance of rebuilding the partnership. “We urge you to take immediate steps to reset and repair this critical partnership,” the lawmakers stated. They called on Trump to “review” the current tariff policy and to re-engage in “dialogue with the Indian leadership,” emphasizing that the relationship “demands recalibration, not confrontation.”

The letter underscored that the economic relationship between India and the United States is “exceptionally important,” supporting “hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries.” It highlighted that “American manufacturers depend on India for key inputs in sectors from semiconductors to health care, energy and more,” while also noting that U.S. firms benefit from access to “one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world.” The lawmakers added that Indian companies have “invested billions of dollars here in America, helping to create new jobs and opportunities in the communities we represent.”

Describing the tariff escalation as “indiscriminate,” the lawmakers argued that it “jeopardizes these ties,” by “raising costs for American families, undermining the ability of American companies to compete globally, and undercutting ground-breaking innovation and cooperation.”

They also warned that Trump’s approach has had strategic consequences beyond trade, pushing India closer to other powers. “The Trump administration's hostile actions have pushed the Indian government to increase its diplomatic and economic engagement with Russia and China,” the letter stated. The lawmakers highlighted India’s “indispensable role as a counterweight to China’s growing assertiveness,” especially through its participation in the Quad partnership “in conjunction with the US, Australia, and Japan.”

“India has become a vital partner in defense cooperation,” they noted, citing joint military exercises and collaboration with the U.S. and its allies “to secure vital maritime routes.” The lawmakers underlined that India’s “growing importance as a stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific” makes the bilateral relationship even more critical.

Highlighting the shared democratic values that bind both nations, the signatories wrote, “Our partnership demonstrates to the world that free and open societies can prosper through cooperation and mutual respect.” They concluded by urging the administration to renew its dedication to the alliance, asserting that “Given the depth and breadth of U.S.-India cooperation -- spanning defense, regional security, energy markets, innovation, and supply chain resilience -- it is critical that our nation reaffirm its commitment to India.”