India Hires Mercury Public Affairs to Ease Trade Tariff Tensions with the U.S., Aiming for Strategic Advantage Through Lobbying with the Trump Administration.
India-America Relation: Faced with escalating trade tensions between India and the United States, India has adopted a new strategy. Amidst indications of increased tariffs on India by the U.S. and threats of secondary sanctions, India has hired Mercury Public Affairs, a lobbying firm in Washington D.C., on a three-month contract. The firm is led by former U.S. Senator David Vitter, and India will pay it $75,000 per month. The contract is effective from mid-August 2025 to November 2025.
The Importance of Lobbying and the Influence of the Trump Administration
One reason for choosing Mercury Public Affairs is that several former officials from the Trump administration have worked at this firm. For example, Susie Wiles, a close associate of Trump and former White House Chief of Staff, has been the head of Mercury's Washington and Florida offices. Since Trump's return to the White House, Mercury has already been hired by several countries, including Denmark, Ecuador, Armenia, and South Korea.
Through this lobbying effort, India will be able to bly present its claims in the tariff dispute and influence U.S. trade and political decisions.
India's Other Lobbying Firms
Mercury is not India's first lobbying firm. India also has an existing deal with SHW Partners LLC. This firm is working on an annual contract of $1.8 million and helps with strategic consulting, government relations, and public perception management under the leadership of former Trump advisor Jason Miller.
India's strategy is more targeted and costs approximately $200,000 per month. India mainly relies on experienced political advisors and established firms to ensure the lobbying is effective and focused.
India-Pakistan Trade Competition in the U.S.
Pakistan, on the other hand, is currently spending significantly more than India on lobbying in the U.S. According to FARA filings, Pakistan is spending approximately $600,000 per month and has hired a total of six firms. Pakistan's major firms include Orchid Advisers LLC, Seiden Law, and Team Eagle Consulting.
Due to this aggressive lobbying, Pakistan has received relief such as a meeting for Army Chief General Asim Munir at the White House and a lower 19% tariff compared to India. The U.S. and Pakistan have also recently entered into agreements regarding critical minerals and oil partnerships.
India's Energy Policy and the Tariff Dispute
India is facing an additional 25% tariff due to its purchase of oil from the United States. The U.S. has placed India in the highest tariff bracket alongside Brazil, and a new 25% tariff is set to take effect from August 27, 2025. White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro clarified on August 22 that India does not appear willing to change its energy policy, and therefore the additional tariff is likely to be implemented.
