Trump's tariffs and ego threaten decades of US-India progress, Democrat warns

UPDATED: Sep 11, 2025 04:57 IST

Democratic Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove warned that President Donald Trump’s “reckless foreign policy” is jeopardising decades of progress in the US-India relationship, accusing Republicans of standing by in silence.

Speaking as ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Kamlager-Dove delivered a scathing floor speech urging Trump to reverse course. “Trump’s reckless foreign policy has threatened decades of progress in the US-India relationship — while Republicans did nothing. This partnership with India is too important to be sacrificed for Trump’s ego,” she said.

The congresswoman praised former President Joe Biden’s record, saying he “took the relationship to new heights, strengthening collaboration on defense, strategic technologies, and the Quad.” But she argued Trump had quickly unravelled that work, pointing to his sudden decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods.

“In mere months, Trump’s reckless foreign policy style has unravelled decades of progress, suddenly slapping India with 50 percent tariffs because his fragile ego was so triggered,” Kamlager-Dove charged.

She also criticised Republicans for refusing to defend the bilateral partnership, saying they are “beholden to their MAGA isolationist base.”

Kamlager-Dove urged the administration to “make a deal and fix the damage,” stressing that US-India cooperation remains essential to countering global competitors. “He needs to get his act together on behalf of this country and our relationship with India,” she said.

The remarks underscore growing Democratic concern that Trump’s trade policies and confrontational diplomacy could strain relations with New Delhi at a time when Washington views India as a critical strategic partner in Asia.

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