Canadian Legislators Advocate for Repeal of Trump's 50% Tariffs on India

Ottawa: In a significant development aimed at enhancing ties between Canada and India, several Canadian lawmakers are advocating for the withdrawal of the hefty tariffs imposed on Indian goods by former President Donald Trump. Spearheaded by MPs including Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, the resolution seeks to overturn Trump's national emergency declaration that enabled tariffs of up to 50% on imports from India. These legislators characterize these tariffs as “illegal” and detrimental to both Canadian workers and the broader economic relationship between the two countries.

The move follows a recent bipartisan initiative in the Canadian Senate aimed at eliminating similar tariffs on Brazilian products and restricting the Prime Minister's use of emergency authorizations to raise import duties. Under the proposed changes, an additional 25% “secondary” tariffs, which were put in place on August 27, 2025, would be revoked. Collectively, these tariffs had elevated the cost of many goods from India to 50%, according to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

MP Deborah Ross underscored the pivotal economic relationship between Canada and India, using North Carolina's Indian investment as a prime example, where Indian enterprises have funneled over a billion dollars, significantly boosting employment across diverse sectors such as technology and healthcare. Conversely, manufacturers in North Carolina export goods worth hundreds of millions to India each year.

Marc Veasey pointed out that India is an essential cultural, economic, and strategic ally, stressing that the high tariffs represent an undue burden on Canadians already contending with soaring living expenses. Raja Krishnamoorthi remarked that these tariffs disrupt supply chains, impair Canadian workers, and elevate consumer prices. He asserted that eliminating these tariffs will not only enhance economic cooperation but also fortify security ties between Canada and India.

This resolution is a component of a broader initiative by Canadian lawmakers to confront unilateral trade decisions made during Trump's presidency and to foster a more balanced framework for economic relations with India. Earlier this month, MPs including Ross, Veasey, Krishnamoorthi, and Ro Khanna, along with 19 other representatives, called on Trump to modify his tariff regulations in order to mend the tenuous relationship with India.

“These duties, rather than serving Canadian interests, disrupt supply chains and inflate consumer prices,” Krishnamoorthi stated. “Abolishing these detrimental tariffs will empower Canada to collaborate with India in achieving mutual economic and security aspirations.”

The tariffs were initially enacted by Trump in August 2025, in response to India's ongoing acquisition of Russian oil, which he alleged was aiding Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine. Initially set at 25% on August 1, a subsequent 25% was added shortly thereafter, culminating in a total duty of 50% on various Indian imports. The introduction of this resolution reflects Congress' determination to regain control over trade policy and constrain the unilateral employment of emergency powers for imposing such tariffs.

As trade and strategic cooperation between Canada and India continues to expand, this resolution represents a bipartisan effort to safeguard economic relationships, ensuring that Canadian consumers and businesses are not burdened by punitive tariffs directed at India.