Swadeshi Push Grows as Trump’s 50% Tariffs Spark Anti-US Sentiment and Nationalist Call to Action
Tariff Tensions Ignite Boycott Call Against American Brands in India
A wave of anti-American sentiment is sweeping across India after former US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing the country’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
This aggressive move has triggered nationwide calls to boycott American multinationals, including:
- PepsiCo
- Coca-Cola
- McDonald’s
- KFC
- Subway
Ramdev Urges Full Boycott of US Products
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev urged Indians to completely boycott US brands, stating:
“Not a single Indian should be seen at the counters of Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subway, KFC, or McDonald’s. There should be such a massive boycott that chaos will ensue in America.”
Ramdev’s comments reflect growing public anger in India and align with similar boycott movements seen in France, the UK, and Canada.
PM Modi Promotes ‘Swadeshi’ Over Foreign Goods
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has joined the call to support ‘swadeshi’ or locally-made products, encouraging citizens to:
- Buy Indian-made goods
- Support local manufacturers
- Embrace the ‘vocal for local’ initiative
Modi added:
“Anything made by the hands and sweat of Indians is ‘swadeshi’ for us. To build the world’s third-largest economy, Indians must resolve to choose Indian products first.”
He also criticized Trump’s move, calling it a result of “economic selfishness” in global politics.
Trump’s Tariff Hike: What Happened?
On August 6, Donald Trump announced an additional 25% penalty on top of the existing 25% reciprocal tariff, taking the total to 50% tariffs on Indian imports.
Trump posted on Truth Social:
“India is buying massive amounts of Russian oil and reselling it at a profit. They don’t care how many people are dying in Ukraine… I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India.”
These new tariffs came into effect on August 27.
India’s Response: Calm but Firm
In response, the Indian government called the move:
- “Unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable”
- A violation of international trade norms
New Delhi stated that it would “take all necessary actions to protect national interests.”
Potential Impact on US Companies in India
India’s large consumer base of 1.5 billion people makes it a critical market for American corporations. A mass boycott could lead to serious financial losses, including:
- PepsiCo India
- FY24 Revenue: ₹8,200 crore
- Investments (last 3 years): ₹3,500–4,000 crore
- India ranks in PepsiCo’s top 15 global markets
- McDonald’s (Westlife Foodworld Ltd)
- FY24 Revenue: ₹2,390 crore
- 5% growth from previous year
AAP MP Evokes Swadeshi Movement in Open Letter to Trump
Ashok Kumar Mittal, AAP MP, wrote an open letter to Trump, referencing the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, stating:
“If 146 crore Indians were to channel that spirit today, the impact would be far more severe for the US than for India.”
The Bottom Line
With nationalistic calls to action and rising anti-US sentiment, American brands operating in India are at risk of widespread backlash. The combination of political tension, economic retaliation, and consumer nationalism could reshape foreign business operations in one of the world’s largest emerging markets.
