President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Indian imports has drawn sharp rebuke from Democrats on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, who accuse the administration of unfairly targeting India while letting China off the hook for its far greater purchases of Russian oil.
The Democrats said Trump’s trade measures, which have now reached 50 per cent on certain goods, are not only “hurting Americans” through higher prices but also “sabotaging” the hard-won US-India partnership.
The panel highlighted what it called a “confusing policy outcome”: China continues to buy Russian oil at discounted rates without facing any sanctions, even as India bears the brunt of punitive tariffs. A New York Times report cited by the committee underscored this selective enforcement.
India estimates the new levies will hit $48.2 billion worth of exports, with trade officials warning they could make shipments commercially unviable. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to resist the pressure, though he acknowledged the challenges.
Despite exemptions for pharmaceuticals and electronics, trade ties between the two nations remain fragile amid recurring disputes over agriculture, dairy, and market access.