India-born US Representative Pramila Jayapal took a swipe at US President Donald Trump and his tariff regime, holding it responsible for damaging ties between India and America. While at the House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee’s hearing titled ‘The US-India Strategic Partnership: Securing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,’ she foregrounded that the tariffs had impacted both countries for the worse.

Other Democrats also broke their silence on US-India ties being in jeopardy, especially as the South Asian nation closes the gap with other countries like Russia and China.

What did the Indian-origin Democrat say about Trump tariffs?

While speaking at the hearing, Jayapal stressed, “We also are facing challenges around tariffs, both here in the United States and in India. These tariffs are damaging India’s economy and also hurting American businesses and consumers.”

She then turned to an example of a family business in her home state. “Just last week, I heard from a fifth-generation family-owned company in Washington State that relies on agricultural products from India that can’t be sourced at scale in the United States,” Jayapal went on. “They told me that these tariffs are the greatest threat to their business in over 120 years, and they’re looking at either downsizing or offshoring their production to meet increased costs.”

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In addition to hitting it out against Trump’s tariffs, she then pointed the blame on the US president’s ramped up immigration crackdown affecting Indians. “This president has threatened people-to-people ties by shutting down legal pathways to immigrate, reminiscent of a legacy of discriminatory quotas that made it extremely difficult for Indians to immigrate in the first place,” she added.

Other Democrats speak out

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove also spoke out on the deteriorating US-India ties in light of multiple policy impositions making headlines in the visa and political scenes as well. Questioning whether Trump would be “the president who lost India” at the same event, she added, “The US relationship with India will be defining for both countries in how we place ourselves in the 21st-century world order.”

House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga delivered the opening remarks at the The US India Strategic Partnership: Securing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific hearing on December 10 (US time).

In a press release shared on Wednesday, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs quoted Huizenga, “The US-India relationship is no longer just important. It is a defining relationship of the 21st century. If America wants a free Indo-Pacific resilient supply chains and a world where democracy, not authoritarianism, sets the rules, then our partnership with India is critical.”

He further noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent State visit to India and the South Asian nation’s participation in China’s Shanghai cooperation organisation summit in September had raised “understandable concerns.” At the same time, he also highlighted that India had greenlit the decision to buy more American energy as a replacement for its heavy reliance on Russian Oil.

Detailing “extraordinary” ties between the nations’ people, he added, “More than 5 million Indian Americans contribute to the American economy.  They serve in our military. They lead major companies. Meanwhile, American students, businesses, and tourists engage with India every year, strengthening our connection to one of the world’s most vibrant democracies.”

And so, Huizenga asserted that the US-India relationship was not a just diplomatic one, “but rather a living bridge of shared values, democratic principles, and economic opportunity, without any objection.”

Nothing how India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Huizenga said at the hearing, “American companies are eager to enter the Indian market on a level playing field. He further foregrounded that a new trade deal between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would enhance the relationship between the countries.

“I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on how the world’s largest economy and the soon-to-be third largest economy can work together to counterbalance China and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said at the House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee’s hearing.

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How Trump threatened India with more tariffs

While India continues to bear the brunt of 50% tariffs due to its Russian Oil purchases, Trump recently issued a new threat over the nation “dumping” rice into the US market. In a bid to “take care” of the issue, the POTUS ended up singling out India at a White House roundtable this week.

He first asked Meryl Kennedy, an agribusiness owner in Louisiana, which countries were “dumping” rice into the US. She said, “India and Thailand; even China into Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico used to be one of the largest markets for US rice. We haven’t shipped rice into Puerto Rico in years.” She further emphasised the “need to double down” on tariffs.

Consequently, Trump turned to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying, “India, tell me about India. Why is India allowed to do that? They have to pay tariffs. Do they have an exemption on rice?” To this, Bessent replied in the negative, noting that a trade deal was still in the works.

Foregrounding how tariffs would easily settle the imbalance, Trump said at the event, “It’s solved so quickly with tariffs to these countries that are illegally shipping. It’s solved. Your problem is solved in one day. That’s why we have to win the Supreme Court case.”