Washington, Dec 13 (LatestNewsX) – A coalition of prominent Democratic members of Congress filed a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives that seeks to wipe out the 50 per cent tariff on goods imported from India, labeling the measure “illegal” and “economically damaging.”
The resolution is led by Indian‑American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, with support from Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Congressman Marc Veasey. It calls for the termination of President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency that allowed up to a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, which the lawmakers say violates the law and harms commerce.
The initiative follows a bipartisan bill that passed the Senate, ending tariffs on Brazil and aiming to halt what lawmakers view as the president’s abuse of emergency powers to increase duties on foreign products.
According to the sponsors, the House measure would end President Trump’s national emergency, declared under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), that imposed sweeping tariffs on Indian items. It would also eliminate the additional 25 per cent “secondary” duties that took effect on August 27, which were layered on top of the existing reciprocal tariffs. Combined, these layers raised duties on many Indian‑origin goods to as high as 50 per cent.
“President Trump’s irresponsible tariff strategy toward India is a counterproductive approach that weakens a critical partnership,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, hurt American workers, and push up costs for consumers. Ending these damaging tariffs will allow the United States to engage with India on our shared economic and security needs,” he added.
Ross pointed out that the tariffs’ fallout goes beyond Washington’s trade negotiations and is already being felt in states like North Carolina, which maintains strong commercial and community ties with India.
“North Carolina’s economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community,” she said. “Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars and created thousands of good‑paying jobs in our state—especially in the Research Triangle’s life sciences and technology sectors.”
Ross further noted that the relationship is reciprocal, as North Carolina manufacturers export significant volumes of goods to India each year.
“Meanwhile, North Carolina manufacturers export hundreds of millions of dollars in goods to India each year, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and advanced machinery,” she remarked. “When Trump destabilizes this relationship with illegal tariffs, he puts North Carolina jobs, innovation, and our long‑term competitiveness at risk.”
Veasey emphasized the tariffs’ impact on consumers, particularly amid nationwide affordability challenges. “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 affordability at every level,” he said.
These three lawmakers have emerged as prominent critics of the Trump administration’s tariff policy and advocates for a reset in U.S.–India relations.
In October, Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthi joined Congressman Ro Khanna from California and 19 other House members in urging President Trump to repair the strained relationship with India and reverse the tariff policies they view as harmful.
Supporters of the resolution argue that using emergency powers to impose broad tariffs bypasses congressional authority and creates uncertainty for businesses and workers on both sides of the trading relationship.
They contend that ending the India tariffs aligns with a wider effort to stop the president from “using emergency powers to unilaterally impose his misguided trade policies,” thereby restoring predictability to U.S. trade relations with key partners.
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