BUSINESS
US trade report flags lack of consultation before India’s initial laptop import curb plan
In August 2023, India had announced restrictions on free import of laptops, tablets, personal computers, and related items, but the plan was rolled back and replaced by an 'import management system', requiring companies to report data related to their imports.
BUSINESS
Centre’s FY25 revised capex may miss the target by around Rs 35,000 crore
The largest miss on FY25 capex is expected to be due to a spending slowdown in roads and highway projects, followed by housing and atomic energy.
BUSINESS
Govt unlikely to go ahead with privatisation of banks: Official
Government’s ambitious bank privatisation agenda is off the table with an overarching view that public sector banks are profitable and evoke greater trust. The Modi government had announced privatisation of two public sector banks in 2021-22
BUSINESS
India may follow US' cue on cryptocurrencies
With Trump’s administration embracing crypto, an inter-ministerial group is recalibrating its approach on digital currencies as its finalises a discussion paper
BUSINESS
Government expects minimal impact of Trump's reciprocal tariffs, higher auto, steel levies
The thinking in the government is that the goods which could be targeted after April 2 are not price sensitive, while the country's auto exports to the US are modest at best
BUSINESS
India can grant more market access to some US farm goods to blunt any reciprocal tariff impact: Ashok Gulati
India had a trade surplus in agriculture of $3.46 billion in 2023. Key exports to the US included frozen shrimp and prawns, basmati and non-basmati rice, vegetable saps and extracts, natural honey, and processed food products.
BUSINESS
India sees room to remove tariffs on US imports of crude oil, diamonds under trade pact
As part of an internal study by the Finance Ministry and NITI Aayog, the government is analysing tariff lines between India and the US to identify areas where the former can lower duties irrespective of domestic capacities. However, this is not related to the April 2 deadline for Trump’s reciprocal plan.
BUSINESS
Trump's tariffs: Reciprocal tax exception, trade deal on agenda as US official visits India
In talks with assistant US trade representative Brendan Lynch, India is expected to thrash out the broad contours of the bilateral trade deal and also try and secure exception from the reciprocal tariff plan
BUSINESS
MSME steel players may urge Centre not to impose 12% safeguard duty fearing price rise
One industry source said that the domestic steel prices could go up by 8-10 percent due to the proposed safeguard duty, hitting MSME exporters, since the metal constitutes 60 percent of their production cost.
BUSINESS
GDP growth rate of 6-6.2% enough for Viksit Bharat goal, says NITI Aayog's Virmani
Coming to the current financial year, Virmani expects growth to be at 6.5 percent or higher, while for FY26 he offers a range between 6.5 and 7 percent.
BUSINESS
Interview| India-Australia FTA can be a template for trade pact with US, says NITI Aayog’s Virmani
Arvind Virmani proposes a zero-to-zero tariff policy on value-added manufactured goods as an appropriate route in striking trade agreements with another country or a bloc
INDIA
Piyush Goyal bats for quick bilateral trade deals with Latin American nations
The minister also highlighted the pace at which trade deals are being negotiated with the likes of Peru and called for faster outcomes.
BUSINESS
India unlikely to retaliate on steeper US tariffs on steel, aluminium; safeguard duty primarily to check Chinese imports
Under Trump 1.0, India retaliated by raising tariffs on US goods such as almonds and apples in response to America imposing higher levies on Indian steel and aluminium.
BUSINESS
Commerce Secy bats for inking early tranches of FTAs to ensure speedier outcome
Barthwal added that the focus is on first resolving core trade issues such as tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as certain regulatory hurdles to ensure speedier outcomes from FTA negotiations.
BUSINESS
India focused on trade deal with US, yet to reach out to Trump team on reciprocal tariffs
India is hopeful of concluding the task of drawing out the scope and schedule of the first tranche of the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with US, in the next two to three weeks, it is learnt.
BUSINESS
Trump tariffs: India engaging with stakeholders to identify areas of gains, challenges
On the proposed trade agreement between India and US, Commerce Secretary said that all measures to raise trade between India and US to $500 billion by 2030 will be discussed while the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the two is expected be multisectoral.
INDIA
India’s goods trade deficit narrows to $14.05 bn in February, lowest since August 2021
On a year-on-year basis too, the trade gap in goods was narrower compared to $19.51 in February 2024.
BUSINESS
Goyal tells exporters to come out of 'protectionist mindset' amid Trump's tariffs
On the ongoing efforts on bilateral agreements, Goyal said that the government has reached the final stages in FTA talks with a few nations.
INDIA
Govt will take care of exporters' interest amid Trump's tariffs, Goyal tells stakeholders: Sources
In the meeting, EEPC India raised the issue of Indian metal exports being hurt by US's steeper tariffs on steel and aluminium, which came into effect on March 12.
BUSINESS
Inflation high in Kerala as gold, personal care prices shoot up
Last month, Kerala’s retail inflation rose to a five-year high of 7.3 percent from 6.8 percent in the previous month, even as the overall figure for India eased to a seven-month low of 3.6 percent.
BUSINESS
Trump tariffs, BTA talks on agenda, Goyal likely to meet stakeholders tomorrow
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal, who recently came back from the US, is expected to update participants on trade deal talks and India's response if US goes ahead with reciprocal tariffs
BUSINESS
Trump's Tariff War: Big steel companies bat for protectionism while smaller players want no import tariffs
Even as steeper tariffs on steel imports into the US came into effect on March 12, India is caught in a fight between the steel biggies and the smaller manufacturers over a safeguard duty.
BUSINESS
India to rely on lower tariffs via FTAs amid changing trade scenario, says Jitin Prasada
India has 13 FTAs and is in talks with the United Kingdom the European Union, Oman and the US for a similar arrangement
BUSINESS
Centre may inject more funds to promote exports amid Trump's tariff threat
In the Budget for 2025-26, the Finance Ministry allocated Rs 2,250 crore towards the Export Promotion Mission with an aim to boost exports related to the MSME sector.
