US Lawmakers Oppose Trump's 50% Tariff Decision on India. Stated that this move is wrong as it is damaging India-US relations and will also lead to higher prices for American consumers.
US Tariff: Opposition to US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 50 percent tariff on India is now intensifying within America itself. Democratic lawmakers from the US Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee have questioned the Trump administration's policy. They argue that this move is not only wrong but could also jeopardize the strengthened relations between America and India over the past two decades. Democratic leaders believe that targeting India over its purchase of Russian oil is completely unfair, especially when no action has been taken against major countries like China.
Why Lawmakers Are Calling the Tariff on India Wrong
Democratic lawmakers state that imposing a tariff on India is a unilateral decision, which is not the right strategy. They said that many important agreements have been signed between India and America in recent years, which have improved the relations between the two countries. However, Trump's move could halt this progress. Lawmakers contend that while no restrictions have been imposed on major countries like China regarding Russia's oil exports, a direct tariff has been imposed on India. This decision weakens America's policy at the international level.
Impact on Americans Themselves
The direct impact of the tariff is not on India but on Americans. Democratic leaders state that imposing a 50 percent tariff on imported goods from India will make products more expensive in the American market, forcing American consumers to pay higher prices. They believe that this decision could also negatively affect American industries and farmers. This move by the Trump administration could go against America's economic interests.
Threat of a Rift in US-India Relations
Democratic lawmakers state that India-US relations have strengthened considerably over the past two decades. Cooperation between the two countries has increased in the fields of defense, trade, technology, and energy. However, imposing a tariff on India could create a rift in these relations. Lawmakers believe that such decisions can weaken trust with India and pose a threat to the strategic partnership.
Why No Tariff on China?
The biggest question is that China is the largest buyer of oil from Russia, yet the Trump administration has not imposed any tariff on it. Democratic lawmakers argue that if the US administration truly wanted to stop Russia's oil sales, it should have applied the same policy to China and other major purchasing countries. However, directly targeting India makes US foreign policy appear biased and indicates that the decision lacks a solid basis.
Panel Cites New York Times Report
The committee of Democratic lawmakers also referred to a New York Times report, which stated that if the Trump administration had taken uniform action against all countries buying oil from Russia, the situation would have been different. However, targeting only India is policy-wise incorrect and is damaging America's image internationally.
Questions Raised on Trump Administration's Strategy
Democratic lawmakers said that this move by the Trump administration is perhaps one of the most confusing policies to date. They questioned why such steps are being taken that weaken relations when America itself wants to strengthen its strategic partnership with India.
