Washington, December 13:

Three members of the United States House of Representatives have introduced a resolution seeking to end President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration that led to steep tariffs of up to 50 per cent on imports from India. The lawmakers have described the tariffs as illegal, economically damaging and harmful to American workers, consumers and long-standing ties between the two countries.

The resolution has been introduced by Congresswoman Deborah Ross, Congressman Marc Veasey and Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. It aims to revoke the President’s use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which was used to sharply raise import duties on Indian goods earlier this year.

According to the lawmakers, the tariffs have failed to serve American interests and instead placed an additional burden on households and businesses already struggling with rising costs. The measure follows a recent bipartisan move in the US Senate that sought to end similar emergency-based tariffs imposed on Brazil and to limit the President’s authority to unilaterally raise import duties.

The resolution specifically targets the additional 25 per cent “secondary” duties imposed on August 27, 2025. These were added on top of earlier reciprocal tariffs, pushing total duties on several Indian-origin products to 50 per cent. Lawmakers argue that these measures amount to a tax on American consumers and disrupt established supply chains.

Congresswoman Deborah Ross highlighted the deep economic ties between India and her home state of North Carolina. She said Indian companies have invested more than a billion dollars in the state, creating thousands of jobs in sectors such as life sciences, technology and manufacturing. At the same time, North Carolina exports hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of goods to India every year. According to her, the tariffs threaten these mutually beneficial trade relationships and risk hurting local workers.

Congressman Marc Veasey echoed similar concerns, saying India is a key cultural, economic and strategic partner for the United States. He argued that the tariffs unfairly affect everyday Americans, particularly those in Texas, by raising prices on imported goods and increasing pressure on businesses that depend on stable trade links.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents a large Indian-American constituency, said the tariffs are counterproductive and undermine cooperation between the two democracies. He warned that higher duties disrupt supply chains, hurt American workers and push up costs for consumers, while doing little to improve national security. Ending the tariffs, he said, would allow the US and India to work together more effectively on shared economic and security goals.

The resolution is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to challenge what they see as the misuse of presidential emergency powers in trade matters. Lawmakers argue that trade policy should remain under the authority of Congress, as outlined in the US Constitution, rather than being shaped by unilateral executive actions.

Earlier in October, the same three lawmakers, along with Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other members of Congress, had written to President Trump urging him to reverse the tariff policy and repair strained relations with India. They warned that continued trade friction could weaken a key partnership at a time of growing global uncertainty.

President Trump first announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods effective August 1, 2025. Days later, he ordered an additional 25 per cent increase, bringing the total to 50 per cent. The administration justified the move by citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, arguing that such trade indirectly supports Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Critics, however, say the tariffs have done little to change India’s energy decisions and have instead hurt American importers and consumers. Business groups have also raised concerns about long-term damage to US–India trade ties, which have expanded steadily over the past decade.

While the resolution faces an uncertain path in Congress, its introduction signals growing resistance to the President’s trade strategy. It also reflects a wider debate in Washington over how far emergency powers should be used in shaping economic policy. For now, the move has reopened discussion on the future of US–India trade relations and the balance of power between Congress and the White House on trade decisions.

 Three US Lawmakers Move Resolution to Roll Back Trump’s 50% Tariffs on Indian Imports

Three members of the US House of Representatives have taken a major step to challenge President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods. Congresswoman Deborah Ross, Congressman Marc Veasey and Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi have introduced a resolution to end the national emergency declaration that led to import duties of up to 50 per cent on products from India.

The lawmakers say the tariffs are illegal, harmful and unfair to American workers and consumers. According to them, the duties have disrupted supply chains, raised prices and weakened economic ties between the United States and India, two long-time strategic partners. The move follows a similar bipartisan effort in the US Senate to roll back emergency-based tariffs imposed on Brazil and to limit the President’s power to raise tariffs without Congress.

The resolution seeks to cancel the additional 25 per cent “secondary” tariffs imposed on August 27, 2025, which were added on top of earlier duties, taking total tariffs on many Indian products to 50 per cent. The lawmakers argue that these measures act like a hidden tax on everyday Americans at a time when living costs are already high.

Congresswoman Ross highlighted strong trade links between India and North Carolina, noting that Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars in the state and created thousands of jobs. Congressman Veasey called India an important economic and strategic partner and said the tariffs hurt families and businesses in states like Texas. Congressman Krishnamoorthi said ending the tariffs would strengthen US–India economic and security cooperation.

President Trump imposed the tariffs in August, citing India’s purchase of Russian oil. Critics say the move has done little to change policy but has strained ties and increased costs at home. The resolution signals growing resistance in Congress and renews debate over who should control US trade policy.