American giants like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple are facing growing boycott calls in India, as political leaders, business executives, and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi rally against steep US tariffs. Former US President Donald Trump recently imposed a 50% duty on Indian goods, sparking outrage among exporters and fuelling anti-American sentiment online and on the streets.
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India remains a crucial market for US brands, with millions drawn to their global image — from packed Apple store launches to Starbucks promotions. Yet, nationalist groups like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, linked to Modi’s BJP, are urging consumers to “buy Indian,” sharing lists of local alternatives on WhatsApp and staging small rallies nationwide.
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While some, like Lucknow resident Rajat Gupta, dismiss the protests as politics unrelated to their coffee or McPuff, the campaign has revived debates over self-reliance. Modi, without naming foreign companies, has appealed for prioritising domestic needs, echoing calls for India to build its own tech and retail ecosystem — a push both economic and symbolic in the face of US trade pressure.
