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Three members of the US House of Representatives have taken formal steps to challenge President Donald Trump’s tariff policy on India, arguing that it rests on an overreach of emergency powers and is causing economic harm at home. The lawmakers have introduced a resolution aimed at cancelling the national emergency declaration that paved the way for duties of up to 50 per cent on Indian goods.
The resolution was introduced on Friday by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. It seeks to strike down the additional 25 per cent secondary tariffs imposed on August 27, 2025, which were added to earlier reciprocal duties. Together, the measures sharply increased import costs on several Indian-origin products under authorities granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Ross said the tariffs were having a negative impact on her state. “North Carolina’s economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community,” she said, pointing to billions in investment and thousands of jobs tied to Indian companies. She added that the duties were undermining an important economic relationship.
Veasey described the policy as harmful to households. “India is an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, and these illegal tariffs are a tax on everyday North Texans who are already struggling with rising costs,” he said.
Krishnamoorthi focused on the wider economic effects. “Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers,” he said, adding that removing the tariffs would strengthen US-India economic and security ties.
The House move comes after a bipartisan effort in the Senate to curb the President’s use of emergency powers to impose trade barriers, a method Trump has increasingly relied on in disputes with several countries. Supporters of the resolution say it is intended to restore Congress’s constitutional role in trade policy while improving ties with India, described as a key strategic partner.
“Ending Trump’s India tariffs is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to reclaim Congress’ authority over trade and stop the President from using emergency powers to unilaterally impose misguided policies,” the lawmakers said in a joint release.
Trump initially imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods on August 1, before doubling it days later. He cited India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, arguing that these helped finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
The resolution was introduced on Friday by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. It seeks to strike down the additional 25 per cent secondary tariffs imposed on August 27, 2025, which were added to earlier reciprocal duties. Together, the measures sharply increased import costs on several Indian-origin products under authorities granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Ross said the tariffs were having a negative impact on her state. “North Carolina’s economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community,” she said, pointing to billions in investment and thousands of jobs tied to Indian companies. She added that the duties were undermining an important economic relationship.
Veasey described the policy as harmful to households. “India is an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, and these illegal tariffs are a tax on everyday North Texans who are already struggling with rising costs,” he said.
Krishnamoorthi focused on the wider economic effects. “Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers,” he said, adding that removing the tariffs would strengthen US-India economic and security ties.
Pushback against emergency trade powers
The House move comes after a bipartisan effort in the Senate to curb the President’s use of emergency powers to impose trade barriers, a method Trump has increasingly relied on in disputes with several countries. Supporters of the resolution say it is intended to restore Congress’s constitutional role in trade policy while improving ties with India, described as a key strategic partner.
“Ending Trump’s India tariffs is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to reclaim Congress’ authority over trade and stop the President from using emergency powers to unilaterally impose misguided policies,” the lawmakers said in a joint release.
Trump initially imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods on August 1, before doubling it days later. He cited India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, arguing that these helped finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
