Washington: The Democrats on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee have come down heavily on President Donald Trump, accusing him of targeting India with punitive tariffs while sparing China, despite Beijing being Moscow’s largest energy buyer. They warned that the new trade measures are not only damaging American consumers but also jeopardizing the hard-won strategic partnership between New Delhi and Washington.
In a sharply worded statement posted on X, the Democrats argued that Trump’s approach reveals an inconsistency in foreign policy. “Instead of imposing sanctions on China or others purchasing larger amounts of Russian oil, Trump is singling out India with tariffs, hurting Americans and sabotaging the US-India relationship in the process,” the committee declared. The panel further added, “It’s almost like it’s not about Ukraine at all,” hinting at the possibility of political motivations driving the administration’s actions rather than concerns about Russian energy revenues.
The criticism coincided with the rollout of Trump’s latest trade directive an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian imports, effectively doubling the duties that were already raised earlier this month. The White House has justified the move by linking it directly to India’s continued trade in discounted Russian oil. However, economists and lawmakers alike have pointed out that China, which imports nearly four times the volume of Russian crude compared to India, has not faced a similar penalty, raising questions about selective enforcement.
A report in The New York Times quoted by the Democrats echoed these concerns, describing the Trump administration’s strategy as “perhaps the most confusing policy outcome of all.” It noted that while the US had threatened secondary sanctions on any country dealing with Russian oil, the decision to focus solely on India has undermined credibility. China, it observed, continues to enjoy access to discounted Russian crude without consequence, further complicating Washington’s diplomatic message.
For India, the stakes are high. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has calculated that the fresh tariff regime will affect nearly $48.2 billion worth of exports. Officials fear that many shipments to the US may no longer be commercially viable, leading to job losses in key manufacturing hubs and a slowdown in export-driven growth. While New Delhi has secured exemptions for sensitive sectors such as pharmaceuticals and electronics, industries including textiles, leather, and steel are expected to bear the brunt of the duties.
Despite the pressure, PM Modi has signaled that India will not bow to what he described as “unilateral trade coercion.” His administration maintains that Russian oil purchases are essential to keeping energy costs stable in the face of global volatility and insists that India has not violated any international rules in pursuing affordable supplies.
Meanwhile, analysts warn that the tariffs threaten to undo years of bipartisan progress in US-India ties. Over the past two decades, both Democratic and Republican administrations have invested heavily in building strategic trust, spanning defense cooperation, technology sharing, and counterterrorism. Trade has been a critical pillar in this partnership, yet remains prone to frictions over agriculture, dairy, and intellectual property rights. Trump’s tariff escalation, experts argue, risks pushing India closer to other markets while eroding Washington’s credibility as a reliable economic partner.
While the full impact of the tariffs will unfold in the months ahead, one reality is already clear: American consumers will feel the pinch. Higher import costs from India could drive up prices for everyday products, from clothing to household goods, directly undercutting Trump’s “America First” promise. As Democrats warn, the price of the administration’s selective strategy may ultimately be paid not just in diplomatic capital abroad but also in dollars at home.