A rather unusual trade dispute has erupted in the United States — this time over bananas. American President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose a 50% tariff on bananas imported from India was expected to pressure New Delhi into trade concessions. However, the move appears to be backfiring, triggering public anger within the US itself.
The controversy stems from President Trump’s pledge on his very first day in office to bring down inflation and control rising prices. He had promised to make goods more affordable for American citizens. But the opposite is now happening — and bananas have become the latest example.
Until recently, bananas in the US were sold at prices ranging between one and two dollars per pound. But with the 50% tariff in place, prices are expected to rise significantly, directly impacting American households. This is particularly significant because India is a major supplier of bananas to the US market, and the tariff’s cost burden is being passed on to consumers.
The issue has now reached the US Congress, where lawmakers are openly questioning the administration. In a viral video circulating online, members of Congress grilled Trump officials over the rising cost of bananas, but the administration was unable to provide a convincing answer.
US Congresswoman Madeleine Dean voiced strong criticism, saying that President Trump had pledged to end inflation but instead his “chaotic decisions” are pushing the country backward. She argued that the obsession with fixing trade deficits through steep tariffs is hurting ordinary Americans, driving up prices across a range of products, not just bananas.
The frustration is evident among US citizens as well, who are now feeling the pinch of higher grocery bills. Economists have also warned that such trade measures could lead to broader inflationary effects, especially when imposed on everyday essentials.
In essence, the 50% banana tariff — intended as a show of strength in trade negotiations with India — has turned into a political and economic headache for the Trump administration. While it was meant to apply pressure abroad, it is the American consumer who is now paying the price. The debate over this policy is growing louder, both in Congress and across the country.
