New Delhi: A group of United States lawmakers has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives seeking to roll back tariffs imposed on Indian imports under President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration. The move reflects growing concern in Congress that the duties are unlawful, economically damaging and harmful to the long term partnership between the United States and India.
The resolution aims to terminate the emergency declaration that enabled the imposition of steep tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. If adopted, it would rescind the additional duties placed on Indian goods in August 2025, including a secondary surcharge that pushed total tariffs on several products to as high as 50 percent.
Lawmakers backing the measure argue that the tariffs have disrupted supply chains, raised costs for American consumers and placed unnecessary pressure on domestic industries. They have also warned that the duties undermine one of Washington’s most important strategic and economic relationships at a time when cooperation with India is seen as critical in the Indo Pacific region.
Supporters of the resolution have highlighted the deep trade and investment ties between the two countries. Several US states maintain strong economic links with India through manufacturing exports, technology partnerships and investments by Indian companies that support thousands of American jobs. According to the lawmakers, the tariffs effectively act as a tax on American households and businesses already grappling with higher prices.
The House initiative follows a recent bipartisan move in the Senate to block similar emergency based tariffs imposed on Brazil and to rein in the executive branch’s ability to unilaterally raise import duties without congressional approval. Together, the efforts signal a broader push by lawmakers to reclaim Congress’s constitutional role in setting trade policy.
The resolution also forms part of a wider effort to reset strained US India ties after months of friction triggered by trade actions. Earlier appeals from members of Congress had urged the administration to reverse the tariff decisions and engage New Delhi through dialogue rather than punitive measures.
The tariffs were introduced in two stages during August, initially at 25 percent and then doubled days later. The administration justified the move by citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, arguing that such trade indirectly supported Moscow during the Ukraine conflict.
As debate over the resolution gathers pace, its outcome could shape the future direction of US India economic relations and define how far Congress is willing to go in curbing presidential authority over trade.
