Members of the US Congress inked an open letter to the United States President Donald Trump reiterating to cut the unreasonable tariffs imposed on India. The lawmakers have also asserted to restore the bilateral relations with India, that’s been severely ruptured since Trump escalated a tariff tussle with India. The letter to Trump is been signed by 19 US lawmakers under the leadership of Deborah Ross. Other Congress members include Ro Khanna, Brad Sherman etc.
The letter explains the vitality of India-US relations in the backdrop of rising geopolitical upheavals and warns that the tariff imposition has damaged this strategic bilateral relation. Thus, the lawmakers have compelled the Trump administration to reverse the harmful or misplaced tariff policy on India. The letter continues to say that the 50 per cent tariffs imposed on India that also includes 25 per cent additional tariffs for purchasing the Russian oil has not only undermined the bilateral relations, but also has disturbed both the Indian and American economies. Indeed, American manufacturers and consumers are hurt by the irrational tariffs.
‘We write as members of Congress representing districts with large, vibrant Indian-American communities that maintain strong familial, cultural and economic ties to India. Recent actions by your administration have strained relations with the world’s largest democracy, creating negative consequences for both the countries. We urge you to take immediate steps to reset and repair this critical partnership”, wrote the US lawmakers.
Tariffs has terribly hurt the American economic credentials
The US lawmakers, in the letter to Trump further proceed to explain the economic disruption caused in the American economy as an impact of the Trump tariffs. The punitive tariff measures have not only hurt the Indian manufacturers and the export market, but have also disrupted the interests of American consumers due to the price rise. The tariffs have also derailed the intricate supply chains that American companies rely on to render products to the consumers of America.
The lawmakers have also highlighted the importance underlying the trade between India and the US, as it has created thousands of jobs in both the countries. Thus, punitive tariffs would create havoc in the lives of millions of ordinary people who are dependent on the manufacturing or the export-import market. The sectors of India on which American manufacturers depend include semiconductor, energy, healthcare etc. The investment and business potential of these sectors and its indirectly allied domains will be disrupted due to massive tariffs, say the US lawmakers. Apart from the immediate effect such as price rise, in the long-run these tariffs would hamper investment and innovation potential in both the countries, thus derailing the growth momentum.
India: A stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific
The US lawmakers in the letter to Trump also put spotlight on the relationship with India, as New Delhi is deemed as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad grouping comprising of India, US, Japan and Australia infact was carved to restore balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. India, given its prime location in the Indo-Pacific is a key player in the region to ensure free, open, inclusive and rule-based Indo-Pacific. However, the latest tariff tussle unveiled by Trump has led to the shattering of the potential and goals of Quad and the larger Indo-Pacific agenda.
US Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Congressman Ro Khanna led a group of 19 Members of Congress in urging President Trump to take immediate steps to repair America’s strained relationship with India and to reverse his administration’s harmful tariff policies
In the letter, the… pic.twitter.com/ABhGQc8aPL
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2025
Cooperation and mutual respect is the key, not contestation
In the letter, ultimately the US lawmakers suggest US President Donald Trump to restore and recalibrate the relations with India, for the benefit of both the economies and for the benefit of the emerging world order. “India and the United States share democratic traditions. Our partnership demonstrates to the world that free and open societies can prosper through cooperation and mutual respect. Given the depth and breadth of the US-India cooperation, spanning defence, regional security, energy market, innovation and supply chain resilience, it is critical that our nation reaffirms its commitment to India”, asserts the members of the US Congress.
Apparently, this is not the maiden time that the US President Donald Trump is being schooled from the US lawmakers, economists and subject experts to restore relations with India. Previously, Economist Jeffrey Sachs, lawmaker Ro Khanna, diplomat Nikki Haley and numerous others have urged Trump to indulge with India in a fair, reasonable manner which is inevitable for the US economy. Attempts to distance or degrade India, will adversely affect the American economy.
