After Tariffs, Another Heavy Blow from the U.S

First, U.S. President Donald Trump hit India hard by imposing heavy tariffs on goods exported from India. While he presented it as a move targeting Russia, many argued that Russia was merely a scapegoat. In reality, the U.S. continues trade relations with Russia in many ways. So, questioning India’s oil imports from Russia while maintaining trade with Russia itself exposes the flawed logic Trump seems to be deliberately ignoring.

These tariffs are essentially self-inflicted wounds for the U.S., as higher prices could also hurt American consumers. For now, India can do nothing except watch this unfold. Indian industries affected by these tariffs have appealed for government support, but whether the government can effectively respond remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, India’s already delicate situation with the U.S. is about to worsen. A major blow is coming for Indian students pursuing the “American Dream.” The Trump administration is reportedly planning to limit student visas to just four years. This would be a huge shock to Indian students and their parents, who have long invested heavily in U.S. education with hopes of settling there.

For nearly two decades, many Indian families have taken loans or used lifelong savings to send their children to the U.S., with a plan: study, work part-time, secure a job before the visa expires, and eventually extend the visa to settle there. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Indian students follow this path. But ever since Trump came to power, uncertainty has grown. During his first term, many students were afraid even to visit India for holidays or weddings, fearing they might not be allowed back into the U.S.

Now, if a strict “study-only” visa law is passed, the American Dream for many will be shattered. Most students don’t go just to study — they go with the hope of staying and earning in dollars afterward. If they are forced to return home immediately after completing their studies, the number of students going to the U.S. will drop significantly. The investment isn’t just for education — it’s for future earnings, and everyone knows it.

Education and living costs in the U.S. are already high, as are tuition fees in India. Many middle-class families see U.S. education as worth the expense, often taking loans with the expectation of recovering costs by working in the U.S. afterward. But if a new law forces graduates to return home immediately, all those plans will collapse.

Given Trump’s aggressive policy style, this new visa law could take effect very soon. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Indian students go to the U.S., and all of them would be affected. Even those already there could face tougher conditions. In the end, Trump’s moves may push Indians to look for dreams beyond the U.S.