From McDonald’s and Coca-Cola to Amazon and Apple, several American multinationals are under pressure in India as boycott calls gain momentum. The pushback follows US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, a move that has upset exporters and strained relations between New Delhi and Washington. Supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders have amplified the sentiment, urging consumers to shift towards local brands.
India’s Importance to US Companies
India, now the world’s most populous country, is a critical growth market for US brands. Many have rapidly expanded to tap a growing base of affluent consumers who see foreign labels as aspirational. The country is Meta’s biggest user market for WhatsApp. Domino’s has more outlets here than in any other country. Coca-Cola and Pepsi dominate beverage shelves, and Apple and Starbucks still draw crowds for new store openings and special promotions.
No Immediate Sales Impact Yet
So far, there’s no concrete evidence that sales of these brands have taken a hit. But the call to “buy local” is growing louder, especially on social media. The boycott campaign taps into national pride, encouraging people to support domestic businesses over foreign imports.
Voices for Local Brands
Manish Chowdhary, co-founder of Wow Skin Science, posted a video on LinkedIn urging Indians to make “Made in India” a global phenomenon, citing South Korea’s success in popularizing its own food and beauty products. “We have lined up for products from thousands of miles away, proudly spending on brands we don’t own, while our own makers fight for attention at home,” he said.
Rahm Shastry, CEO of DriveU, echoed the sentiment, suggesting that India should develop its own versions of global tech platforms like Twitter, Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook, similar to China’s domestic digital ecosystem.
Foreign Brands Still Face Strong Competition
While foreign brands like Starbucks enjoy strong demand, they also face competition from Indian retail chains. However, few Indian consumer brands have matched their global scale. In contrast, India’s IT services giants like TCS and Infosys have successfully built a global footprint, serving clients around the world.
