India Responds to US Tariffs with Calls for Boycotts and Promotion of Local Products

Tensions between India and the US have intensified, fostering a significant wave of economic nationalism. The primary driver of this conflict is the 50% tariff imposed by former US President Donald Trump. This action has sparked widespread outrage and led to calls for a boycott of American companies and products. Major US corporations operating in India, such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subway, KFC, and McDonald’s, are under pressure and face the risk of consumer boycotts. Yoga guru Ramdev is at the forefront of this movement, calling for Indians to avoid US products. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has urged the public to embrace ‘swadeshi’ products, reinforcing the importance of supporting Indian-made goods. Furthermore, the Indian government has responded with a stance of disapproval, calling the tariffs ‘unfair’ and vowing to protect India’s national interests.