Ramdev Denounces U.S. Tariffs as ‘Political Bullying,’ Urges Nationwide Boycott of American Brands
IIE DIGITAL DESK : The vociferous response to Washington’s recent decision to levy steep duties on Indian imports, yoga guru and Patanjali co-founder Swami Ramdev has called upon Indians to vigorously boycott American companies and their products. His impassioned plea comes on the heels of the U.S. raising its import duty from 25 percent to 50 percent, a move he labelled as “political bullying, hooliganism, and dictatorship” .
Addressing media via news agency ANI, Ramdev urged that “not a single Indian should be seen at the counters of Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subway, KFC, or McDonald’s,” advocating for a “massive boycott” across the nation . He stakes a bold claim that such collective economic action would trigger notable consequences in the U.S., including rising inflation, to the point that President Trump might reconsider the tariff imposition . He went so far as to say that Trump “has committed a blunder by turning against India,” framing the tariffs as a misguided attempt with unintended repercussions .
The U.S. had earlier introduced 25 percent duties on August 6, 2025, under Executive Order 14329, citing national security threats tied to India’s continuing procurement of Russian oil. On August 27, these duties were abruptly doubled to 50 percent, intensifying tensions and drawing sharp criticism both domestically and among some U.S. lawmakers. Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee questioned why China, which imports even more Russian energy, has been exempted, calling the policy inconsistent and puzzling .
Ramdev’s call for a boycott echoes a broader surge of anti-American sentiment and a growing movement to champion self-reliance. Earlier this month, business figures and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already begun mobilizing opposition to U.S. brands like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple, encouraging consumers to “buy local” in a show of economic nationalism . The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, even organized public protests, distributing lists of Indian alternatives across WhatsApp and urging people to make patriotic choices .
Although immediate impacts on American firms’ sales in India remain unclear, the skipper of this sentiment pointed to the nation's importance as a consumer market for global players, from beverages to tech, and suggested that the boycott could damage their growth trajectory in India .
Ramdev’s declarations represent more than an ideological stand—they signal a mobilization of public economic resistance. His rhetoric captures both the emotional pulse of a nation bristling at perceived external aggression and a strategic push toward economic sovereignty. Whether this call to action gains sufficient traction to influence U.S. policy or shift consumer behavior remains to be seen.
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