Author: Editorial Desk

India has emerged as a prominent beneficiary of the United States’ latest round of reciprocal tariffs on electronic goods, gaining ground over major exporting countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. The development is being viewed as a major diplomatic win, driven by consistent engagement by Indian negotiators and national leadership. China now faces combined tariffs ranging from 54% to 79%, while Vietnam is subjected to a 44% rate. India’s more favorable tariff treatment creates an opening to expand its electronics exports to the US. Although countries like Brazil and Egypt have secured marginally more favourable terms in some…

Trump imposed a 14% tariff on goods imported from Nigeria as part of a broader strategy called ‘reciprocal tariffs.’ The move comes under a newly declared era of ‘fair trade,’ shifting dramatically away from longstanding global free-trade norms. The announcement, made during a Rose Garden event titled ‘Liberation Day,’ introduced a baseline 10% tariff on all U.S. imports, along with sharper country-specific tariffs targeting nations that impose higher duties on American goods. According to the Trump administration, Nigeria currently imposes a 27% tariff on U.S. exports, prompting the imposition of a 14% tariff on Nigerian goods in return. Trump framed…

Vietnamese enterprises are strategically shifting toward green, clean, and digital export practices to meet increasingly stringent global trade requirements and enhance their competitive edge in international markets. Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of Vina T&T Import Export Service Trading, noted that rising technical barriers are levelling the playing field and compelling exporters to focus on quality and regulatory compliance. He highlighted recent milestones in Vietnam’s agricultural exports, with pomelo gaining entry into New Zealand, passion fruit into Australia, and coconut into the United States. Tung also identified the Middle East and Halal-certified countries as promising yet underexplored markets for Vietnamese fruit…

Donald Trump is readying a new wave of reciprocal tariffs, global markets are showing signs of unease amid growing fears of a trade war. Several Republican senators have also expressed concern over the strategy, which many warn could provoke retaliatory measures from major US trading partners, including China, Canada, and the European Union. Speaking on Monday, Trump stated he would be ‘very kind’ to trading partners when unveiling the fresh tariffs—potentially as early as Tuesday night. The announcement comes amid signs of declining growth forecasts, weaker business confidence, and public comments from White House officials suggesting a readiness to absorb…

India has strongly rejected allegations made in a report by a US-based publication that claimed an Indian defence public sector unit (PSU) sold imported equipment to a Russian arms supplier, calling the report “factually incorrect and misleading.” Government sources accused the publication of twisting facts to suit a political narrative and dismissed any implication of misconduct. The article in question linked an Indian company to the transfer of restricted technology to Russia, allegedly in violation of global export norms. Indian officials countered that the report ignored India’s strict compliance with international trade regulations. “The Indian entity mentioned in the report…

Ukrainian apples have officially entered Indian markets, marking a noteworthy development in the growing trade relationship between India and Ukraine. The Embassy of Ukraine in India announced the arrival of the first batch in Delhi, underscoring a strengthening of bilateral trade ties and expanding agricultural cooperation between the two countries. The shipment, comprising high-quality apples, successfully cleared all Indian regulatory inspections. The Embassy of Ukraine highlighted the collaborative efforts behind this achievement, involving the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. In a post on X, the Embassy stated,…

The U.S. government is actively seeking egg imports from Europe and other regions to combat a severe domestic shortage that has driven egg prices in grocery stores to record highs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reached out to several European nations, including Germany, Italy, Poland, and Sweden, to address the supply deficit affected by a widespread outbreak of avian influenza. However, the effort faces multiple hurdles, primarily stemming from differences in food safety standards and the limited availability of surplus eggs in Europe due to their own bird flu outbreaks and increased local demand ahead of Easter. A…

The United States has halted its financial contributions to the World Trade Organization (WTO), marking a major change in its approach to global trade and further distancing itself from international institutions seen as incompatible with the Trump administration’s ‘America First’ agenda. According to sources in Washington, the decision forms part of a wider government initiative to cut public spending and aligns with President Donald Trump’s increasingly protectionist economic stance. The move coincides with a forthcoming 25% tariff on imported cars not manufactured within the US, scheduled to take effect on Wednesday, April 2. Described by the White House as ‘liberation…

China and the European Union should deepen their trade ties by promoting open markets and reinforcing a rules-based global trading system, Arancha González, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po and former Foreign Minister of Spain, said during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, Hainan Province. Her remarks come as the new US administration adopts increasingly protectionist measures, including a recent decision to impose 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles, a move that has heightened global trade tensions. Despite the challenging backdrop, González emphasised the potential for China and the EU to…

Vietnam and Peru have agreed to maximise the benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to enhance bilateral trade and investment. The decision was made during the third session of the Vietnam–Peru Intergovernmental Committee, held virtually on March 27 and co-chaired by Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Phan Thi Thang, and Peru’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luis Enrique Chávez Basagoitia. In her remarks, Deputy Minister Thang highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation amidst global economic uncertainties. She reaffirmed Vietnam’s view of Peru as a key partner in Latin America and expressed readiness to…