India taps Trump-linked lobbying firm ahead of tariff shock: report

The Indian embassy in Washington has hired a lobbying firm with close ties to the Trump administration, just days before 50% tariffs on Indian exports take effect, Bloomberg reported.

According to an 18 August filing, India agreed to pay $75,000 a month to Mercury Public Affairs LLC for government and media relations services. Mercury’s connections run deep inside the White House: Chief of Staff Susie Wiles previously co-chaired the firm, while partner Bryan Lanza—listed on the India account—was communications director for Donald Trump’s 2016 transition team.

The decision reflects growing urgency in New Delhi as relations with Washington deteriorate under Trump’s second term.

The White House has vowed to slap 50% tariffs, effective Wednesday, on Indian goods in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

US officials argue those imports fund the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. India counters that the purchases stabilize global markets and were previously tolerated by Washington.

The US is India’s largest trading partner, and policymakers in New Delhi fear the tariffs could hit exporters hard.

Mercury has a history of representing foreign clients facing Washington pressure.

Earlier this year it disclosed a contract with the Embassy of Denmark, which clashed with Trump over his push to gain control of Greenland.

The firm has also lobbied for Chinese companies targeted by US sanctions, including surveillance-equipment maker Hikvision and telecom group ZTE.

The embassy’s move comes as Indian business interests also scramble to shore up their presence in Washington. Billionaire Gautam Adani, Asia’s second-richest person and a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been expanding his own lobbying operation in the US while contesting allegations of involvement in a bribery scheme.