Call to boycott American products in India continues to grow

Recent tariff decisions by US President Donald Trump have heightened tensions in trade relations between India and the United States. Following the announcement of a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods entering the US, Indian exporters are concerned about potential losses, and diplomatic strains are growing within political circles.

In this situation, some Indian business groups and factions close to the ruling BJP have called for a boycott of American products. On social media, especially WhatsApp, they are sharing lists of alternative local brands. They are encouraging people to use Indian products like soaps, toothpaste, and soft drinks instead of popular American or foreign brands.

India has long been a lucrative market for American brands. Companies like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Apple, Amazon, and Starbucks are very popular among India’s middle and upper-class consumers.

India has the largest number of WhatsApp users in the world; Domino’s has the most restaurants here. On the days when new Apple stores open or Starbucks offers special discounts, long queues can be seen. But due to the tariff hike, these brands have now become targets of the boycott movement.

Manish Chowdhury, co-founder of Wow Skin Science, said, "We stand in line for products from thousands of miles away but neglect our own country’s products. Now is the time to support local farmers and startups."

Rahul Shastri, CEO of DriveU in India, commented on LinkedIn, "Just like China, India should have its own versions of Twitter, Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook."

Despite this anti-American boycott movement, US-based electric car manufacturer Tesla has opened its second showroom in New Delhi. Meanwhile, ‘Swadeshi Jagran Manch,’ supported by the BJP, is organizing small gatherings across the country to promote boycotting American brands.

Ashwini Mahajan, co-coordinator of this organization, told Reuters, "People are now paying attention to Indian products. It will take some time to see results. This is a call for nationalism and a message of patriotism."

However, many ordinary consumers are not taking the boycott call seriously. Rajat Gupta, drinking coffee at McDonald’s in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, said, "Tariff policies are diplomatic issues; they have nothing to do with my McPuff or coffee."