Weekend Wild Card: Nothing says 'INDIA IS OUR FRIEND' like a 25% tariff
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced 25% tariffs and an additional penalty against India ahead of the August 1 deadline.
The Reading List: August 1, 2025
Our research and opinion teams have curated a selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance for your weekend read
Nixon to Trump: Tracing the ups and downs of a mercurial engagement
Trump may not share Nixon’s personal dislike of Indians. But Nixon, who passed away a few decades ago, has a successor when it comes to damaging bilateral ties.
US Tariffs: India must hold the line on more concessions
US tariffs on Indian exports are set to rise, influenced by geopolitical issues like India’s ties with Russia and BRICS. Negotiations for a trade deal remain complex, requiring careful diplomacy from India
How fair and transparent loans will help NBFCs and small businesses grow by 2047
NBFCs play a vital role in India’s inclusive growth by providing transparent, fair credit to underserved communities. Responsible lending builds trust, reduces risks, and drives sustainable economic development towards 2047 goals
Investors glimpse pay-off for Big Tech’s mammoth spending on AI arms race
Earnings reports of major players show how artificial intelligence services are boosting revenues
Remembering Pramila Tai Medhe and the journey of Rashtra Sevika Samiti
RSSFACTS: Rashtra Sevika Samiti is an RSS-inspired organisation like three dozen other organisations. It is independent, autonomous and has quietly worked to establish a massive footprint away from the media glare
Is O Panneerselvam a spent force? Why his exit may not create ripples in Tamil Nadu politics
Although seen as a trusted lieutenant of Jayalalithaa and her friend Sasikala, OPS has been in the political wilderness for the last two years, coming up as a poor second in the power struggle in the AIADMK.
Markets shrug off Trump’s India tariff shocker, are investors making a mistake?
In the run-up to the August 1 tariff deadline, markets were already exhibiting nervousness. Now that they have been announced, what should investors be looking out for?
Infant industry paradox: Trump's tariffs raise questions about US protectionism
Many goods that are exported to the US are from factories contracted in India by some iconic US corporations. Apple is an example. Levis Strauss & Co. is another. These aren’t `infants’ that need tariffs to ringfence them from competitive pressures. They are matured giants with a storied legacy, who have set up supply lines across the world
Govt capex rises sharply in Q1, but low tax revenue growth a slowdown signal
Central government spending surged dramatically in Q1 FY26, with the fiscal deficit more than doubling to Rs 2.8 lakh crore compared to the same period last year. While total expenditure jumped to Rs 12.22 lakh crore, a staggering 46 percent increase in interest payments now consumes nearly one-third of all government spending, highlighting India's growing debt burden and constrained fiscal flexibility
With tariff wars raging, why is the IMF suddenly bullish on global growth?
The IMF's upgraded 2025 global growth forecast defies tariff war fears – here’s why optimism persists despite rising protectionism
Fed’s hard line may force the RBI to keep purse wide open
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) can’t afford to sit on the fence—it’s time for bold monetary stimulus to support growth.
As Trump tariffs unravel apparel and textiles exports, India needs to offer protection
More than tariffs, fragmentation, high finance and logistics cost are challenging the apparel and textiles industry
Trump tariffs — India should neither give in, nor give up
The US President’s threat to India goes beyond his worries over the trade deficit, and New Delhi should astutely address the issues during the next round of trade talks
Chart of the Day: Can India avoid the penalties over Russian oil?
Russian oil is at a deep discount but walking away from Moscow and towards other oil suppliers would be easy.
Cutting Forests, Cutting Corners: India’s forest policy is sabotaging its own climate goals
India is dismantling the forest protections it needs to meet its climate commitments, creating a policy contradiction that undermines both carbon sequestration capacity and economic competitiveness
Tariffs as a catalyst for another 1991 moment: Trump tantrums can spur India towards reforms
A strategic pivot towards strengthening domestic consumption and internal growth drivers can become a powerful mitigating factor against external pressures, such as tariffs
India–UK FTA signals strategic shift in trade policy
The India–UK FTA marks a major policy shift, promoting inclusive growth, export diversification, and global integration. It reflects India’s maturing trade strategy ahead of key deals with the U.S. and EU
Quick Take | HUL Q1 results: Rohit Jawa signs off on a high note
Volume growth of 4 percent in the June quarter is twice the March quarter's level. But margins are under pressure. HUL appears to have turned a corner on sales growth, giving new CEO Priya Nair more space to roll out her agenda
Call Trump’s tariff bluff; diversify export destinations
His harsh treatment of India is not just about mean tariff rates. The underlying approach is to squeeze India’s sovereign space in decision making, including areas such as IP and digital taxation. In addition, India is to bear the economic cost of Trump’s role as peace broker between Ukraine and Russia. Give in now and demands may multiply. Instead, government needs to consider seven ways outlined here to offset Trump’s approach
India-US trade deal: It’s time to seize the moment
As US tariff pressure mounts, India stands poised to transform crisis into opportunity by accelerating long-overdue economic reforms that could make the nation more competitive globally
Mohamed El-Erian: Reasons for caution amid America’s triumphant market surge
With most traditional valuation indicators now flashing amber, investors should be vigilant
Trump's potential penalties could impact market more than tariff hike
Indian markets face mounting pressure as Trump's tariff threats trigger a sharp rupee decline to four-month lows of 87.42 against the dollar. The Gift Nifty's drop signals continued volatility ahead, with analysts warning that uncertainty over additional Russia-related penalties could derail the market's recent upward momentum.
25% Tariffs, 100% Wake-Up Call: Rethinking India’s trade sovereignty
The actions of the Trump administration may compel India to reconceptualise trade as a strategic endeavour rather than merely a commercial one. This should serve as a catalyst for change, not to withdraw from global engagement but to fundamentally transform the manner in which India interacts with the international community
