Indian Consumers Boycott US Brands Amid Rising Anti-American Sentiment

US multinationals like McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple are facing boycott calls in India as the country pushes back against US tariffs with rising anti-American sentiment. Business leaders and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are leading the backlash, which is driven by the Trump administration's imposition of tariffs on Indian goods. The boycott calls reflect growing tensions between the two nations and the impact of the tariffs on Indian businesses.

US multinationals such as McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple are facing boycott calls in India as the country pushes back against US tariffs, fueled by growing anti-American sentiment. This backlash is led by business executives and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who are protesting against the Trump administration's imposition of tariffs on Indian goods [1].

India, the world's most populous nation, is a key market for American brands, which have rapidly expanded to target a growing base of affluent consumers. However, the 50% tariffs imposed by the US have sparked a wave of nationalism and calls for self-reliance. Business leaders like Manish Chowdhary of Wow Skin Science and Rahm Shastry of DriveU have urged support for local brands and products, highlighting the need for India to focus on its own economy [1].

The boycott calls reflect the growing tensions between India and the US, with the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, a group linked to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, urging people to boycott American brands. The group has circulated a list of Indian alternatives for foreign products, such as bath soaps, toothpaste, and cold drinks [1].

The tariffs are expected to have a significant impact on India's economy, with analysts predicting a decline in GDP growth by up to 1% due to the US doubling tariffs on Indian goods. The move threatens to reduce Indian exports to the US significantly, impacting labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, footwear, and gems and jewelry [2].

The Indian government has reacted strongly to the US move, calling it "unfair and unjustified." The Reserve Bank of India has forecast the economy to grow at 6.5% in fiscal 2026, but the tariffs could shave off about 1% from GDP growth. Exporters and trade experts are alarmed, with Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative warning that the high tariffs could make Indian goods significantly costlier and reduce exports to the US by as much as 40–50% [2].

To mitigate the impact, the Indian government and the Reserve Bank of India may need to provide policy support, including interest rate cuts and increased public investment. Analysts warn that the tariffs could cause a sudden stop in affected export products, potentially leading to the closure of small and medium enterprises [2].

In conclusion, the boycott calls and the impact of US tariffs on India's economy highlight the growing tensions between the two nations. The Indian government and businesses are working to adapt to the new trade environment, while the US administration continues to impose tariffs in response to India's continued purchase of Russian oil.

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/india-trumps-tariffs-spark-calls-boycott-american-goods-2025-08-11/
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-risks-1-gdp-hit-as-trump-slaps-50-tariffs-over-russian-oil/articleshow/123161849.cms