US lawmakers introduce resolution to roll back Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports

Three Democratic lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have introduced a resolution seeking to roll back steep tariffs imposed on Indian imports by US President Donald Trump, calling the move illegal, economically damaging, and harmful to long-standing India–US ties.

The resolution was tabled on Friday by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, and comes amid growing pushback in Congress against the administration’s use of emergency powers to impose trade restrictions.

Bid to end India tariffs under emergency powers

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The House resolution seeks to terminate President Trump’s national emergency declaration that enabled tariffs of up to 50 per cent on imports from India under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). According to the sponsors, the measure would rescind the additional 25 per cent “secondary” duties imposed on August 27, 2025, which were layered over earlier reciprocal tariffs.

Together, these measures pushed duties on several Indian-origin products to as high as 50 per cent. Lawmakers argue the tariffs are illegal, undermine US competitiveness, and strain relations with a key strategic partner.

“President Trump’s irresponsible tariff strategy toward India is a counterproductive approach that weakens a critical partnership,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. He said the tariffs fail to advance US interests or security, instead disrupting supply chains, hurting American workers, and raising costs for consumers, and argued that ending them would enable Washington to work more constructively with India on shared economic and security priorities.

Supporters of the resolution stressed that the tariffs are already hurting American states with strong trade and investment links to India.

“North Carolina’s economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community,” Congresswoman Ross 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. Meanwhile, North Carolina manufacturers export hundreds of millions of dollars in goods to India each year, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and advanced machinery. When Trump destabilises this relationship with illegal tariffs, he puts North Carolina jobs, innovation, and our long-term competitiveness at risk.”

Congressman Veasey echoed similar concerns from Texas. “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.

The tariff challenge comes alongside a separate legislative effort in the US Senate targeting immigration policy changes that could disproportionately affect Indian nationals. A group of Democratic senators has introduced a resolution to overturn a Trump administration rule ending automatic renewals of work permits for certain noncitizens.

Senator Alex Padilla, joined by Senator Jacky Rosen and nine others, moved a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to reverse an interim final rule issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The rule, announced on October 30, eliminates automatic extensions of employment authorisation documents for 18 categories of noncitizens, including refugees, asylees, individuals under temporary protected status, and spouses of H-1B visa holders—a group that includes a large number of Indian nationals.

Senators backing the resolution argue that lengthy USCIS processing delays could force legally authorised workers to stop working for months despite filing renewal applications on time. They say the rule could affect 87 per cent of all pending work permit renewals, sidelining thousands of vetted workers and disrupting businesses.

Indian professionals and their families are among those most exposed, as spouses of H-1B visa holders commonly work in technology, healthcare, finance, education, and research, with household incomes often dependent on uninterrupted work authorisation.

The Senate resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Michael Bennet, Chris Coons, Catherine Cortez Masto, Dick Durbin, Angus King, Adam Schiff, Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Van Hollen, and Peter Welch. If passed by both chambers and signed into law, it would nullify the USCIS rule and block similar regulations.

Meanwhile, House Democrats say the India tariff resolution is part of a wider effort to reclaim Congress’s constitutional authority over trade. Earlier in October, Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthi, along with Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other lawmakers, had urged the president to reverse his tariff policies and repair strained ties with India.

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

Trump had imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods from August 1, followed by another 25 per cent hike days later, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and claiming it indirectly fuels Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.