Washington, D.C. — Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Democratic caucus have cautioned that President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs risk undermining the carefully cultivated US–India relationship.
Representative Gregory Meeks urged that any bilateral concerns be handled “in a mutually respectful manner consistent with our democratic values,” highlighting the deep strategic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations.
The warning follows Trump’s declaration on Friday that the United States will not engage in trade negotiations with India until a tariff dispute is resolved. His comments came after his administration doubled existing tariffs on Indian imports to 50%.
The White House on Wednesday issued an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 percentage points in tariffs on Indian goods, citing national security and foreign policy concerns. The move was linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, which the order described as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US interests.
The initial 25% tariff took effect on 7 August. The new levy will come into force in 21 days, applying to all Indian goods entering US ports—except items already in transit and certain exempt categories. The order also grants the president flexibility to adjust the measures in response to shifting geopolitical conditions or retaliatory steps from India or other countries.
When asked by ANI in the Oval Office whether talks could resume despite the increased tariffs, Trump replied, “No, not until we get it resolved.”
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded defiantly during the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, signalling that India would not yield under economic pressure. (Source: The Tribune)
