The substantial tariffs mounted by the Donald Trump (US President) regime on Indian exports, which can reach up to 50%, have rekindled debate about the Indian-American diaspora’s influence in US policymaking. With a sizable number of Indian-Americans living in the United States, many of whom are educated (albeit with American degree certificates), one might expect this community to have at least a little influence in shaping bilateral policy, especially since the diaspora includes a sizable proportion of media-covered Indian politicians’ and bureaucrats’ children. However, recent trade tensions indicate a more complex situation.

The Trump regime may have justified the steep tariffs as a “punishment” for Russian oil buyers, however the justification is as unilateral as the decision of imposing steep tariffs. And no matter how much the Indian businesses deny the adverse impact, the market and trade numbers say it aloud.

It is worth noting that the Democrat leaning “influential” diaspora doesn’t possess enough power to influence the American policies despite the diaspora’s roots deep within India’s political and bureaucratic network. This ideological lean may have unintentionally undermined the diaspora’s influence during Trump’s presidency. The political tilt of this network is also fairly reasonable given the anti-migration policies of the Trump regime and the Democrats’ keenness in creating the “American Dream” farce – a psychological subservient phenomenon most commonly observed within this network.

The Indian-American diaspora is just evolving alongside the American political scene. While it has not yet gained lobbying power, its trajectory is yet to be seen during Trump’s second term. Even after several decades of presence in the United States, the “influential” Indian-American diaspora continues to struggle to establish itself in the halls of American policy influence. The Trump tariffs are a wake-up call for Indians in India, who erratically count on the diaspora to pursue India’s interests overseas.