The US and India have reached a historic interim trade agreement that marks a dramatic shift in their economic relationship, with tariffs on Indian exports slashed from 50 percent to just 18 percent. According to Fresh Fruit Portal, this agreement removes the punitive 25 percent tariff imposed by the Trump Administration on Indian goods, while maintaining a reciprocal 18 percent rate that represents a significant de-escalation of trade tensions between the two nations.

The deal centers on reciprocal market access. India has agreed to open its historically protected markets to American agricultural and industrial goods, particularly benefiting US apple and nut producers. Fresh Fruit Portal reports that India will significantly reduce tariffs on US apples, almonds, walnuts, and pecans, though the country maintained restrictions on strawberries, cherries, and citrus to protect local farmers. In return, the US has entirely lifted tariffs on Indian tropical fruits including mangoes, bananas, and avocados, according to the same source.

However, the agreement has sparked intense political debate within India. According to Asian News Network, opposition parties are questioning whether Indian interests have been compromised, particularly regarding a controversial $500 billion purchase commitment over five years. Congress leaders have criticized the scale of proposed American imports, with Shashi Tharoor noting that India has committed to slashing tariffs to near zero while the US maintains 18 percent duties. The ruling BJP countered that India has only expressed an intention rather than made a binding commitment, per Asian News Network.

The energy aspect remains contentious. According to France 24, the agreement was announced after India allegedly committed to stopping Russian oil purchases, though Indian authorities have denied making such a commitment. France 24 notes that Nayara Energy continues purchasing approximately 400,000 barrels of Russian crude daily, creating ongoing ambiguity about India's energy sourcing intentions.

Agricultural concerns dominate domestic criticism. According to Business Standard, opposition leaders claim the deal will harm Indian cotton farmers and textile exporters, pointing to Bangladesh securing zero-tariff access for textiles while Indian exports face 18 percent tariffs. Commerce officials have stated that India will not open its farming and dairy sectors, per Business Standard.

The gem and jewelry sector anticipates significant gains. According to Rapaport, the 18 percent tariff and zero duty on diamonds and colored gemstones is expected to help Indian exporters regain lost ground in the US market, potentially adding up to three billion dollars in trade.

Both governments view this interim framework as a living document that will expand over coming months, with negotiations expected to conclude by March 2026. Pending outstanding issues include digital trade, intellectual property, and labor standards.

Thank you for tuning in to India Tariff News and Tracker. Please subscribe for the latest updates on US-India trade developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Welcome to India Tariff News and Tracker. I'm bringing you the latest developments in US-India trade relations as negotiations continue to reshape commerce between these two major economies.

Just this week, the United States and India reached a framework for an interim trade agreement that marks a significant turning point after months of escalating tensions. According to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the deal will help India secure crude oil at more competitive prices while working toward a $500 billion bilateral trade target by 2030.

Here's what changed with tariffs. The effective duty rate on Indian goods that had climbed as high as 50 percent is now set at 18 percent under key categories. This represents a major reduction from the punitive tariffs the Trump administration imposed throughout 2025, which included a 25 percent penalty directly tied to India's purchases of Russian oil.

The Trump administration has been clear about its expectations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated at the Munich Security Conference that the US has gotten India's commitment to stop buying additional Russian oil. However, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that India remains wedded to strategic autonomy, noting that energy decisions are guided by market forces including availability, cost, and risks rather than political pressure.

The interim agreement also establishes sectoral working groups focused on manufacturing, technology, critical minerals, and digital trade. Both nations have committed to further expand market access opportunities through negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement to follow.

Not everyone views the deal positively. The Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, a prominent farmers organization, questioned whether highlighting an 18 percent tariff represents a genuine achievement. They point out that Bangladesh already has zero import duties on several products including textiles, and argue that Indian producers face a significant disadvantage without most-favored-nation status or a return to the pre-tariff war rates of 5 to 15 percent.

For listeners tracking these developments, the framework signals both de-escalation and continued leverage. The US maintains pressure points for future negotiations while India gains breathing room to strengthen its domestic capabilities and competitive position.

The interim agreement represents pragmatic accommodation from both sides after months of tension, but the real test comes as negotiations continue on the formal bilateral trade agreement. Economists suggest this could either become a springboard for deeper economic integration or reveal fundamental disagreements on agriculture, energy policy, and manufacturing.

Thank you for tuning in to India Tariff News and Tracker. Be sure to subscribe for updates as these negotiations unfold. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Welcome, listeners, to India Tariff News and Tracker. In the latest developments on US tariffs under President Trump, India has secured a major win with the reciprocal tariff rate on its exports slashed to 18 percent, down from a punishing 50 percent imposed last year, according to the Trade Compliance Resource Hub's Trump 2.0 tariff tracker updated February 12.

This reduction, announced February 2 following a call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump, stems from a US-India joint statement issued February 7, as confirmed by India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in The Economic Times. The framework for an interim trade agreement promises immediate relief for labor-intensive Indian sectors like textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, plastics, rubber, organic chemicals, home décor, artisanal products, and machinery, reports The Economic Times on the forging of a new economic era.

Key concessions include US removal of Section 232 national security tariffs on certain Indian aircraft and auto parts, plus preferential quotas for automotive components. In return, India commits to eliminating or reducing tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of agricultural products like dried distillers' grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh fruits, soybean oil, wine, and spirits.

The White House revised its fact sheet this week, dropping contentious references to pulses and massive purchase commitments, aligning with the joint statement's shared understandings. US Ambassador Sergio Gor hailed the deal as finalized on social media after meeting Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Yet, caution lingers. The Print warns this is a temporary reprieve, given Trump's unpredictability and potential mid-term political shifts, while Countercurrents.org urges India to reject non-reciprocal terms that could barter sovereignty. Economists like Jeffrey Sachs advise vigilance against US pressures.

Sectors like pharmaceuticals, gems, diamonds, and aircraft parts eye zero-tariff access upon full finalization. This deal catalyzes India's exports amid Trump's aggressive reciprocal tariff push, but long-term vigilance is key.

Thank you for tuning in, listeners—subscribe now for weekly updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Welcome, listeners, to India Tariff News and Tracker. In a major development this week, President Trump has slashed U.S. tariffs on Indian imports from 50% to 25%, with a further cut to 18% coming soon under a new interim trade framework announced February 6, 2026. According to Thompson Hine, this follows an Executive Order effective February 7 suspending the additional 25% tariff tied to India's Russian oil purchases, dropping the overall rate while monitoring for compliance.

The White House joint statement and fact sheet detail U.S. relief on textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, chemicals, and machinery, plus Section 232 tariff removals on Indian steel, aluminum, copper for aircraft parts, and quotas for auto parts. Thompson Hine and International Trade Compliance Update report India gains exemptions for generics, gems, and pharma ingredients pending investigations.

India, in turn, pledges to cut tariffs on U.S. industrial goods, food like distillers' grains, nuts, fruits, soybean oil, and spirits. A revised White House fact sheet, per Economic Times and NDTV, dropped sensitive "pulses" mentions and softened a $500 billion U.S. purchase "commitment" to "intends," excluding agriculture and easing digital tax language to protect India's farm sector and autonomy amid domestic pushback.

Clark Hill notes immediate border changes: no more extra duties post-February 7, with refunds via CBP, but snapback risks if Russian oil resumes. This framework paves for a full bilateral deal tackling non-tariff barriers, digital trade, and more.

For Indian exporters, especially in apparel and autos, this de-escalation boosts competitiveness against Asian rivals. Stay tuned as Federal Register confirms the 18% rate.

Thanks for tuning in, listeners—subscribe for weekly updates on tariffs and trade. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Just three days ago, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced a major trade breakthrough that's reshaping the economic relationship between the United States and India. According to Goldman Sachs, this agreement is significant enough that the bank upgraded India's 2026 GDP growth forecast by 20 basis points to 6.9 percent year-on-year.

Here's what changed for Indian exporters. The U.S. has slashed tariffs on most Indian imports from a punitive 50 percent down to 18 percent. Gems and jewelry saw the most dramatic cuts, dropping from 50 percent to zero duty. Textiles and apparel, which were facing 50 percent tariffs, now face 18 percent. Silk products secured complete duty-free access to America's 113 billion dollar market. These aren't minor adjustments. According to India's Press Information Bureau, roughly 30 billion dollars worth of Indian exports will benefit from these reductions, while another 10 billion dollars in goods now face zero tariffs entirely.

On the flip side, India committed to opening its massive market to American goods. The nation agreed to purchase 500 billion dollars worth of U.S. energy products, aircraft, technology, and coking coal over five years. India is also reducing or eliminating tariffs on American agricultural products like dried distillers' grains, tree nuts, and fresh fruit, though it protected sensitive sectors like dairy and cereals from any concessions.

One contentious element involves Russian oil. Trump claimed that India agreed to stop buying Russian energy, and he removed a 25 percent penalty tariff that had been imposed on Indian goods since August 2025 specifically because of those Russian purchases. However, India's government has been notably vague on this point. According to Bloomberg reporting, Indian refiners have already begun pausing spot purchases of Russian crude, and imports could drop by roughly 50 percent. But New Delhi hasn't formally confirmed any commitment to end these purchases.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told CNBC that the tariff reductions could take effect within days through executive order, even before the formal agreement is signed in mid-March. He emphasized that around 50 percent of India's exports will now face zero duty, while roughly 35 percent will face the 18 percent rate. The agreement is expected to provide immediate boosts to labor-intensive sectors like textiles, leather goods, auto components, and agricultural exports.

For Indian exporters, this represents a dramatic shift in market access. They're gaining tariff advantages over competitors from Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other nations who continue facing tariffs between 19 and 35 percent. The question now is whether these gains will materialize as quickly as both sides have promised.

Thank you for tuning in to India Tariff News and Tracker. Be sure to subscribe for more updates on this developing story. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Welcome to India Tariff News and Tracker, your essential update on the latest US-India trade developments under President Trump. This week brings game-changing news: On February 3, 2026, Trump announced a landmark interim trade deal slashing US tariffs on Indian goods from a punishing 50%—which included a 25% penalty over India's Russian oil buys—to a reciprocal 18%, according to Bay Harbor Exports and the White House joint statement.

This dramatic 32% drop opens doors for American importers of Indian spices like turmeric and cumin, basmati rice, textiles, ready-to-eat meals, apparel, footwear, and home decor. Bay Harbor Exports calculates savings of $25,600 per $80,000 container of organic turmeric and $22,400 on processed foods, making Indian products more competitive than those from Pakistan at 19%, Bangladesh and Vietnam at 20%, or China at 34%. Hindustan Times reports Trump signed an executive order removing the Russian oil-linked penalty, with India committing to $500 billion in US purchases of energy, aircraft, tech, and ag products over five years.

In exchange, India will cut tariffs on US industrial goods, farm products like nuts and soybean oil, and eliminate duties on Harley-Davidson bikes, dropping high-end car tariffs to 30% over 10 years—though Tesla EVs get no reprieve, per Economic Times. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal hailed it as access to a $30 trillion market for Indian exporters, addressing non-tariff barriers on US medical devices and ag goods. American Bazar Online notes future zero tariffs on Indian pharma, gems, diamonds, and aircraft parts once finalized.

The deal, built from 2025 tensions, boosts bilateral trade toward $500 billion by 2030 after hitting $212 billion in 2024. Times of India warns the 25% penalty could return if Russian oil imports resume, but India prioritizes energy security while diversifying. This framework paves the way for a full pact, strengthening supply chains amid global shifts.

Listeners, thank you for tuning in to India Tariff News and Tracker. Subscribe now for weekly updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

In a major breakthrough for India-US trade, President Donald Trump announced on February 2, 2026, a deal slashing US tariffs on Indian exports from 50%—including 25% reciprocal duties and 25% penalties for Russian oil purchases—to 18%, effective immediately via executive order. According to Fortune India citing a Bank of America report, the effective rate could drop further to 12-13% once exemptions for sectors like electronics, textiles, gems, jewellery, pharma, and mobiles are factored in, boosting India's competitiveness against Asian peers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump hailed the pact as a milestone, with Trump posting on social media about India's commitment to buy $500 billion in US goods over five years—roughly $100 billion annually—in energy, technology, agriculture, aircraft like Boeing, and more. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal clarified on February 5 that this is a best-endeavor target through purchases, not investments, and India will reduce select tariffs after mid-March once a formal agreement is signed by mid-March. Open Magazine reports this resets ties after tensions since August 2025, sparing sensitive sectors like cereals and GM foods.

India Briefing notes the joint statement is due in days, triggering phase one, while Asia Pacific Foundation highlights India's pledge to end Russian oil buys and eliminate non-tariff barriers on US goods. Bank of America forecasts GDP upside to over 7% in FY27, with labour-intensive exports rebounding. Professor Jeffrey Sachs told India Today that Trump "blinked" after his high-tariff blunder, urging India to diversify via BRICS and EU deals.

Yet uncertainties linger: Trump claims zero Indian tariffs on US goods and full Russian oil halt, which Indian officials haven't confirmed. Trade Compliance Resource Hub's tracker lists the 18% reciprocal rate with exemptions, amid Trump's volatile policy.

Listeners, this tariff cut eases exporter pain amid a weakening rupee, but watch for fine print and implementation.

Thank you for tuning in to India Tariff News and Tracker. Subscribe for updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

In a major breakthrough for US-India trade relations, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on February 2, 2026, a deal slashing US tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18% effective immediately. According to PV Tech, this cuts the reciprocal tariff from 25% and eliminates an additional 25% levy tied to India's Russian oil imports, boosting Indian exports like solar panels and jewelry.

Trump hailed the agreement on social media, stating India committed to halting Russian oil purchases, reducing its tariffs on US goods to zero, and buying over $500 billion in American products including energy, aircraft, and defense equipment. PV Tech reports Indian PM Modi confirmed the 18% rate on X, calling it a step toward stability, though he omitted details on oil or purchases. Sullivan & Cromwell's Tariffs Tracker notes the White House described it as immediate, following a leaders' call.

The move de-escalates tensions from May 2025, when 25% tariffs hit all Indian imports from August, per Council on Foreign Relations. Indian exports to the US still grew 15.9% to $85.5 billion in January-November 2025, per government data cited by PV Tech. Clean energy wins big: Saatvik Green Energy CEO Prashant Mathur told PV Tech it's a "strategic turning point," enhancing competitiveness for Made-in-India solar cells and modules in the US market.

Markets reacted positively, with Indian stocks surging, as Applied Geopolitics notes, amid India's new EU free trade pact. However, challenges linger: US antidumping probes into Indian PV cells propose 123% margins, per PV Tech, and details on timelines remain vague, with Asia Times calling it a framework needing fine print. Critics like Congress's Jairam Ramesh decry it as capitulation, while Moody's warns of oil market disruptions from curbing Russian crude, now down to 1.1 million barrels daily.

This US-India tariff reset strengthens supply chains, counters China, and pivots energy geopolitics, positioning India competitively at 18% versus higher ASEAN rates, per Carnegie Endowment.

Listeners, thank you for tuning in to India Tariff News and Tracker. Subscribe for the latest updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

India's Union Budget 2026-27 is making waves in US-India trade relations, slashing tariffs to open doors for American tech, energy, and aerospace giants amid ongoing Trump-era pressures. According to the Global Trade Research Initiative, or GTRI, the budget introduces zero customs duties on aircraft components, nuclear equipment until 2035, clean energy machinery like lithium-ion cell inputs, and medical devices such as X-ray tubes, directly benefiting US exporters in these high-value sectors. GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava notes these country-neutral changes quietly align with American strengths, lowering India's input costs while boosting its export competitiveness to the US.

But tensions persist under President Trump's aggressive tariff regime. The Trade Compliance Resource Hub's Trump 2.0 tariff tracker confirms India faces implemented reciprocal tariffs of 25% effective August 7, 2025, plus a secondary 25% penalty on exports linked to its Russian oil purchases, totaling up to 50% on many goods. This stems from August 2025 measures, as detailed by the International Centre for Defence and Security, framing India's oil imports as a national security flashpoint. India responded with a WTO challenge rather than retaliation, aiming to contain the dispute.

In response, India is diversifying. The Lowy Institute reports New Delhi finalized a landmark EU free trade agreement in early 2026, eliminating or reducing tariffs on 96.6% of EU exports while gaining similar access for 99.5% of its goods—a strategic hedge against US unpredictability.

Whalesbook highlights how Budget 2026 bolsters US tech and energy exports through these concessions, potentially deepening bilateral ties despite the friction. As talks for a US-India deal remain unsettled per Quant India's outlook, these moves signal India's push for resilience in a volatile trade landscape.

Listeners, stay tuned as tariff battles evolve—this could reshape supply chains and markets.

Thank you for tuning in to India Tariff News and Tracker. Subscribe now for the latest updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

India's Union Budget 2026 delivers a strategic counterpunch to President Trump's escalating US tariffs, shielding key exports and boosting manufacturing amid global trade turbulence. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled reforms today that simplify tariff structures, enhance export competitiveness, and cut personal import duties from 20% to 10%, directly easing costs for households while offsetting America's 50% duties on Indian gems, jewelry, apparel, auto components, and seafood, as reported by The Economic Times and NDTV.

Trump first slapped 25% tariffs on Indian goods in April 2025 over trade imbalances, hiking them to 50% later that year due to India's Russian oil imports, according to Business Standard. This battered exports—gems and jewelry fell nearly 5% year-on-year in December 2025, with US-bound shipments dropping 9% in October before a slight November rebound. Sitharaman's response arms exporters: duty-free inputs for seafood processing rise from 1% to 3% of prior year's FOB value, leather and textile export timelines extend to one year, and exemptions now cover shoe uppers, lithium-ion cells for energy storage, solar glass materials, and defense aircraft parts.

The Economic Times highlights SEZ units gaining concessional domestic sales capped by export volumes, plus automated cargo clearance and AI risk assessments at ports by April 2026. Mint reports these moves amid market jitters, with Sensex and Nifty dipping sharply. In a bold pivot, India and the EU sealed a free trade deal yesterday, per EU-India.org, dodging Trump's tariff war by opening European markets.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal notes India held firm on US exports despite the hits, eyeing a new framework deal. Times of India calls it firepower: nuclear exemptions till 2035, critical minerals processing relief, and biogas duty tweaks fortify energy security. Personal wins include duty-free cancer drugs and rare disease imports.

Listeners, as Trump closes America's doors, Budget 2026 flings India's wide open—resilient, competitive, and export-ready.

Thank you for tuning in to India Tariff News and Tracker. Subscribe for weekly updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI