With new U.S. tariffs on Indian exports set to take effect this week, New Delhi has expanded its lobbying push in Washington by hiring a second firm with close ties to the Trump administration. According to documents filed with the Justice Department, India’s embassy has retained Mercury Public Affairs, enlisting former Senator David Vitter to assist with “federal government relations” and other services.
The contract, signed on August 18, runs through mid-November and will cost India $75,000 per month, or $225,000 in total. That figure is modest compared to the $1.8 million already committed to SHW Partners LLC, the firm run by former Trump adviser Jason Miller. Mercury’s team on the account includes partner Bryan Lanza, who previously served as communications director during Trump’s presidential transition.
The move comes amid rapidly deteriorating U.S.-India relations. President Donald Trump last month slapped a 25 per cent secondary tariff on Indian goods in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil during the Ukraine war. The White House has signaled that an additional 25 per cent duty is scheduled to take effect this week, potentially raising the tariff burden on Indian exports to 50 per cent.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said he expects the higher tariffs to proceed as planned. “India doesn’t appear to want to recognise its role in the bloodshed,” Navarro said. “It simply doesn’t.”
Mercury’s hiring underscores India’s urgent bid to influence U.S. decision-makers as the trade standoff deepens. The firm maintains close connections to the Trump White House: Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was a registered lobbyist with Mercury until late 2024. The company also represents governments from South Korea, Japan, Ecuador, and Libya, among others.
India has until Wednesday to persuade Washington to reconsider the additional duties, but observers say Trump’s hard line makes a reversal unlikely. The escalating dispute highlights how foreign governments are scrambling to secure lobbying firepower in Washington, with more than 30 countries hiring Trump-connected lobbyists since his return to office in January.