Amazon’s latest announcement has set the tech and economic world abuzz. The e-commerce giant plans to invest over $35 billion in India’s cloud and AI space by 2030, building on nearly $40 billion it has already poured into the country since 2010. The investment is expected to create 1 million jobs and boost exports to $80 billion.

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But while Amazon calls it a move to ‘support job creation and small businesses,’ critics in the US and especially the MAGA circle see a different story, one that harms American workers, promotes digital dominance, leverages cheap labour, and shifts global tech strategy.”

Amazon India investment sparks backlash in the US

Amazon is not alone. Microsoft recently announced a $17.5 billion investment in India, and Google has also pledged $15 billion. Together, these decisions show India’s growing role as a hub for AI, cloud computing, and tech infrastructure. But the news hasn’t gone down well in some circles in the United States. Social media is filled with reactions, with many slamming it as “digital colonisation.” The move has also sparked massive boycott calls.

Several Trump supporters see this as an attempt to undermine Trump’s push to keep the US at the forefront of tech, something he plans to achieve by putting ‘Americans First,’ limiting H-1B and student visas, and tightening immigration rules. But in contrast, many American companies have already begun expanding in India, which has frustrated the MAGA circle.

One angry commentator wrote, “Your Prime subscription? Funding the offshoring of American tech dominance. Your Azure cloud usage? Building AI capacity in Bangalore, not Boston… Stop funding your replacement. Unsubscribe. Cancel. Delete.”

Another said, “What Amazon, Microsoft & Google are doing in India isn’t investment. It’s digital colonisation wrapped in corporate PR… Securing data pipelines, AI training material at zero cost, and influence over India’s economy.”

Some pointed to job displacement in the US, arguing that companies are laying off high-paid American workers while hiring cheaper labour in India. One user said, “Better to have H1Bs in America paying taxes… Amazon is hiring Indians in India for $100,000 while laying off Americans at $280,000.”

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Another chimed in, “Amazon pouring another $35 billion into India just proves the country has become the West’s favourite cheap labour camp. Companies flee high wages and regulations at home, flood India with cash, crush local small businesses, pocket massive profits, then ship the money back overseas. Indians get low-pay jobs and pollution, while foreign billionaires get richer. This isn’t an investment; it’s modern colonialism dressed as progress, and Indians cheering for it are celebrating their own exploitation.

Amazon pledges growth and AI for India

At the Smbhav Summit in New Delhi, Amazon rolled out its vision for India’s AI ecosystem. The company plans to:

  • Create 1 million direct and indirect jobs by 2030
  • Quadruple exports to $80 billion
  • Support AI-driven digitisation for 15 million small businesses

Amit Agarwal, Amazon’s SVP for emerging markets, said, “We’re excited to continue being a catalyst for India’s growth, as we democratize access to AI for millions of Indians.”