BUSINESS
Front-loaded exports, softer oil prices may cushion India’s current account deficit from Trump’s tariffs
Indian exporters have rushed their US-bound shipments ahead of the August 27 tariff deadline. Exports to America have risen around 22 percent on-year so far in this fiscal till July, which is higher than the trend of 17-18 percent growth rate.
BUSINESS
Indian diamond, jewellery makers scramble for new markets as Trump erects tariff wall
India sells nearly $10 billion worth of gems and jewellery to the US annually
BUSINESS
Trump doubles tariff from Aug 27: Indian labour-intensive goods face over 50%, pharma, tech remain spared
Labour-intensive exports to the US are expected to take the hardest hit as these sectors will face a rate of more than 50 percent given that Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are over and above the most favoured nation (MFN) duties in place.
BUSINESS
“At 50%, it can’t go on”: Trump’s punitive tariffs put Indian textile exports and jobs at risk
Almost 28% of India's textile and apparel exports go to the US
BUSINESS
Finance Ministry plans consultations with India Inc to boost job creation amid slowing wage growth
Efforts to help industry, especially MSMEs to achieve scale and thereby ensuring better wages is key since the capacity to spend is intrinsically tied to growth in income that has been tepid, particularly in urban India.
BUSINESS
16th Finance Commission may ask states to opt for more revenue mobilising steps amid slowdown
The commission is expected to come out with a report by October 31, covering a period of five years from April 2026.
BUSINESS
Centre moving quickly on deregulation norms to enhance ease of business for India Inc
Measures to improve ease of business include fast-tracking of a high-level committee on regulatory reforms, simplifying FDI rules and further decriminalisation of minor offences, it is learnt.
BUSINESS
India may ease FDI norms for solar industry to attract Chinese investment, but tighten grip on IT, data
The rethink on Chinese investments into India comes at a time when the relationship between the two nations have seen a thaw in recent few weeks.
INDIA
India-US 6th round of trade talks scheduled for August 25 deferred
The two nations opened trade talks in March and have held five rounds of negotiations, with the last one held in July in the US
BUSINESS
Commerce Ministry delegation to join EAM Jaishankar during Russia visit; Eurasian FTA, rupee-rouble settlement on agenda
India and the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union bloc have been working towards launching formal negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement. The five members of the bloc are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
BUSINESS
India to fast-track FTAs with EU, Oman, New Zealand to diversify exports, says commerce ministry
The ministry also plans to speed up the implementation of the Export Promotion Mission that was announced in the budget for FY26.
BUSINESS
India’s goods trade deficit widens to $27 billion in July
On a year-on-year basis too, the merchandise deficit recorded last month was larger compared to $23.5 billion in July 2024
BUSINESS
India’s FY26 GDP growth seen at least 6% even if Trump keeps tariffs at 50%, says govt official
A favourable monsoon and the likelihood of benign crude oil prices are expected to cushion some of the impact of steeper US tariffs on Indian exports.
BUSINESS
Govt favours retaining current inflation targeting framework from FY27 for another 5 years
This is because the weight of food in the CPI basket is likely to come down; therefore, the RBI may continue to target headline inflation, with a mandate of keeping the rate at 4 percent along with a tolerance band of 2 percentage points on either side. The current framework is valid until March 2026.
BUSINESS
WTO upgrades goods trade outlook to 0.9%, citing frontloading of imports to US
"However, higher tariffs over time will weigh on trade, bringing next year’s expected trade volume growth down to 1.8 percent from 2.5 percent previously," the WTO said in its update.
BUSINESS
India mulls fresh incentives for exporters amid US tariff shock, sources say
Any fresh incentive will potentially focus on labour-intensive exports and the requirement for the same will depend on if and how quickly Washington and New Delhi secure a trade deal potentially lowering the massive tariffs rates, sources said.
BUSINESS
Indian textile exporters seek tariff cost sharing as fresh US orders nearly halt
While, there is a rush to ship goods to dodge the extra 25 percent tariff, an exporter said that since manufacturing for export purposes begins only once an order is received, one can’t frontload too much.
BUSINESS
Trump tariffs: Trade talks on, US delegation expected on August 25, say officials
A US embassy spokesperson said on August 5 said they are looking forward to the talks for a productive and balanced trade relationship
BUSINESS
Trump’s tariff hike sparks competitiveness, layoff fears among India’s MSME exporters
Over $50 bn in trade at risk as effective duties on labour-intensive sectors climb to over 50%, industry warns of job losses
BUSINESS
Indian exports get 3-week breather as extra 25% Trump tariff kicks in from August 27
The grace-period only applies to the additional duty announced on August 6 and not the earlier 25-percent duty, which is applicable from August 7.
BUSINESS
About $30 billion in Indian exports escape Trump's 50% tariff on pharma, smartphones exemptions
Indian shipments worth around $30 billion covering pharmaceuticals and certain electronic products such as smartphones, semiconductors and energy are so far secure from steeper duties since they are under an exemption list.
BUSINESS
Trump’s renewed tariff threats may have played a role in RBI’s status quo on rates
The Reserve Bank of India’s status quo on the benchmark policy rate indicated that it requires further clarity on the quantum of tariffs that Trump may finally levy on New Delhi, according to economists and experts.
BUSINESS
Interview: Trump's India tariff threats just a trade tactic for better deal, says ORF's Dhruva Jaishankar
Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of Observer Research Foundation America (ORF) America told Moneycontrol that a consequence of all of this is that the India-US political relationship continues to sour, even if day-to-day cooperation carries on in a variety of fields.
BUSINESS
India says ‘actively involved’ in trade talks with USA, hours after sparring over Russian ties
On the steps being taken by Centre to safeguard India’s agriculture, Jitin Prasada said international negotiations allow for the inclusion of sensitive, negative, or exclusion lists – or categories of goods on which limited or no tariff concessions are granted.
