New Delhi, India — A wave of calls to boycott major U.S. brands such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple is sweeping across India, fueled by rising anti-American sentiment in the wake of new U.S. tariffs on Indian goods.
The backlash follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50 percent tariff on imports from India — a move that rattled exporters and strained relations between New Delhi and Washington. While there is no immediate evidence of falling sales, social media campaigns and street protests have urged consumers to “buy local” and avoid foreign products.
India, home to more than 1.4 billion people, is a lucrative market for U.S. companies. Brands such as Meta’s WhatsApp dominate user numbers, Domino’s operates more outlets in India than anywhere else, and Apple stores still draw long queues upon opening. Yet, business leaders and nationalist groups are pressing for a shift toward self-reliance.
Manish Chowdhary, co-founder of Wow Skin Science, released a video urging Indians to make “Made in India” a global phenomenon, citing South Korea’s success in exporting its food and beauty products. Rahm Shastry, CEO of DriveU, called for the creation of home-grown platforms to rival U.S. tech giants.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a crowd in Bengaluru, appealed for greater focus on domestic needs, saying Indian technology already serves the world but should now prioritize local demand.
The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an affiliate of Modi’s ruling party, held small rallies across the country on Sunday, promoting Indian alternatives to American products and sharing brand comparison lists via WhatsApp.
Still, not all consumers are swayed. In Lucknow, Rajat Gupta, 37, dismissed the boycott rhetoric while sipping his 49-rupee coffee at McDonald’s. “Tariffs are a matter of diplomacy,” he said. “My McPuff and coffee should not be dragged into it.”
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