NextFin news, Washington, DC – On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, a bipartisan group of 19 US lawmakers sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to reverse recent tariff increases on Indian imports and take immediate steps to repair the critical partnership between the United States and India.
The letter, signed by prominent Democratic representatives including Deborah Ross, Ro Khanna, Brad Sherman, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Pramila Jayapal, highlighted that the Trump administration’s tariff hikes, which raised duties on Indian goods to as high as 50 percent, have undermined bilateral relations and negatively impacted both American consumers and manufacturers.
These tariffs combined an initial 25 percent reciprocal tariff with an additional 25 percent duty imposed in response to India’s energy purchases from Russia. The lawmakers warned that these punitive measures have hurt Indian manufacturers while simultaneously raising prices for American consumers and disrupting supply chains vital to US companies.
“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 lawmakers emphasized the importance of the US-India economic relationship, noting it supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries. They pointed out that American manufacturers rely on India for key inputs in sectors such as semiconductors, healthcare, and energy, while Indian investments in the US have created employment opportunities across American communities.
Furthermore, the letter warned that the tariff escalation risks pushing India closer to regimes hostile to the United States, specifically China and Russia. It underscored India’s indispensable role as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific region and a vital partner in defense cooperation, citing India’s participation in the Quad alliance alongside the US, Australia, and Japan.
“The United States and India share democratic traditions that set us apart from our authoritarian competitors,” the lawmakers wrote. “Our partnership demonstrates to the world that free and open societies can prosper through cooperation and mutual respect.”
The letter called on President Trump to review the current tariff policy and continue dialogue with Indian leadership, advocating for a “recalibration, not confrontation” in the bilateral relationship. It urged the administration to reaffirm America’s commitment to India given the depth and breadth of cooperation spanning defense, regional security, energy markets, innovation, and supply chain resilience.
No Republican lawmakers signed the letter, which was delivered amid growing concerns that the US tariff policy is damaging strategic ties with India and inadvertently strengthening India’s diplomatic and economic engagement with China and Russia.
Sources: Times Now News, LatestLY, ANI, Times of India
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