NextFin news, On Thursday, October 9, 2025, a bipartisan group of 19 US lawmakers, led by Congress members Deborah Ross and Ro Khanna, formally urged President Donald Trump to cut the steep tariffs imposed on India and to restore the critical bilateral ties between the two nations.
In an open letter addressed to President Trump, the lawmakers highlighted that the tariffs, which have escalated to 50 percent on Indian imports, including an additional 25 percent tariff related to Russian oil purchases, have severely damaged the economic and strategic partnership between the United States and India. They emphasized that these tariffs have hurt American manufacturers and consumers by disrupting supply chains and raising costs.
The letter stressed the importance of the US-India relationship, describing it as a "critical partnership" vital for both countries' economic growth and geopolitical stability. The lawmakers noted that the trade relationship supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries and that American industries depend on India for key inputs in sectors such as semiconductors, energy, and healthcare.
Furthermore, the lawmakers warned that the punitive tariffs risk pushing India closer to geopolitical rivals China and Russia, undermining the strategic objectives of the Quad alliance, which includes the US, India, Japan, and Australia. They underscored India's role as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific region and urged the Trump administration to recalibrate its tariff policy to strengthen cooperation rather than confrontation.
"We write as members of Congress representing districts with large, vibrant Indian-American communities that maintain strong familial, cultural, and economic ties to India," the letter stated. "Recent actions by your administration have strained relations with the world’s largest democracy, creating negative consequences for both countries. We urge you to take immediate steps to reset and repair this critical partnership."
The letter was signed by prominent lawmakers including Deborah Ross, Ro Khanna, Brad Sherman, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, and others. It called for a review of the tariff strategy and a renewed dialogue with Indian leadership to restore trust and cooperation.
This appeal follows previous warnings from US lawmakers, economists, and experts who have cautioned that the current tariff policies could harm the US economy and weaken strategic ties with India, a key democratic ally in a multipolar world.
The lawmakers concluded by reaffirming the shared democratic values between the US and India and the importance of mutual respect and cooperation to ensure prosperity and security in the region.
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