Trump's 'tariff tantrum' could undo years of US-India diplomacy: US Congressman

US President Donald Trump’s latest move to double tariffs on Indian imports has triggered sharp criticism from Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who warned that the decision could undermine decades of diplomatic progress between the two countries.

The criticism came after Trump ruled out any trade talks with India until the dispute over tariffs is resolved. Speaking at the Oval Office, when asked if negotiations would resume despite the new 50% tariff, the President said, “No, not until we get it resolved.”

Earlier this week, the White House issued an executive order imposing an additional 25 percentage points in tariffs on Indian goods, raising the total levy to 50%. The order cited national security and foreign policy concerns, pointing specifically to India’s continued imports of Russian oil.


The executive order described those imports—direct or through intermediaries—as posing an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States, thus justifying emergency economic measures.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats reacted strongly to the escalation. In a post on X, the committee said, “RM Gregory Meeks: Trump’s latest tariff tantrum risks years of careful work to build a stronger US-India partnership. We have deep strategic, economic, and people-to-people ties. Concerns should be addressed in a mutually respectful way consistent with our democratic values.”


Representative Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the committee, added that diplomatic concerns should be handled with care.

“Any concerns should be addressed in a respectful way,” he said.

The first phase of the new tariffs—25%—came into effect on August 7. The additional 25% will kick in after a 21-day window, covering nearly all Indian goods entering US ports, except for those already in transit or classified under exempt categories.

The order leaves room for changes, with provisions allowing the President to revise or lift the measures depending on evolving geopolitical developments or retaliatory actions from India or other affected nations.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong message in response. Speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi, Modi signalled India will not yield under external economic pressure.