Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has come out strongly against US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods, calling it an act of intimidation and abuse of power. In his conversation with ANI, Ramdev didn’t mince words, describing the move as “bullying” and a “dictatorial step,” and urged people across India to respond with a nationwide boycott of American brands.
He went as far as naming companies like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, KFC, and Subway, insisting that not a single Indian should be seen supporting them. According to him, if Indians collectively stop purchasing from these global giants, the economic impact in the United States would be so intense that Washington would be forced to roll back its decision. “This blunder of targeting India will backfire,” Ramdev warned, predicting that it could create widespread disruption in the American market and push inflation there to unbearable levels.
Ramdev appealed to citizens to take a firm stand against what he called an unfair 50 percent tariff hike, saying the most effective way to send a message is by rejecting American products altogether.
The controversy stems from Trump’s order to levy additional duties on Indian imports, which officially came into effect on Wednesday, August 27. The White House has justified the move by pointing to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and military equipment, arguing that such trade indirectly helps Moscow sustain its war against Ukraine. The Department of Homeland Security, in a notification, stated that the tariffs apply to all Indian goods cleared for consumption after 12:01 am EDT on August 27. The action is linked to Executive Order 14329, signed on August 6, 2025, under the title “Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation.”
