Letters to the EDITOR: Trump’s reciprocal tariff threatens India-US trade

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Trump’s reciprocal tariff threatens India-US trade

On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 26-27% reciprocal tariff on Indian imports, citing India’s alleged 52% tariff on American goods as justification. This policy, part of Trump’s broader “America First” trade agenda, aims to address the USA’s $46 billion trade deficit with India in 2024. While the move promises to bolster US manufacturing, its impact on the Indian market warrants critical scrutiny. Research from SBI and global firms like Goldman Sachs suggests a modest hit to Indian exports, estimating a 3-3.5% reduction, or roughly $6-7 billion, equating to 0.16-0.4% of India’s GDP. Key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT, automobiles, and gems and jewellery, comprising over $30 billion of India’s $87.4 billion exports to the US, face heightened costs. However, India’s export diversification and low reliance on external demand may cushion the blow, with analysts from Nomura and Fitch labelling India “relatively insulated” compared to peers like Vietnam (46% tariff) and China (34%).

Critically, Trump’s tariff logic oversimplifies trade dynamics. India’s average tariff on U.S. goods is closer to 9.6% (as per Mint analysis), not 52%, raising questions about the White House’s methodology, which factors in non-tariff barriers and currency manipulation without transparency. This discrepancy suggests political posturing over economic fairness, risking a trade war that could disrupt global supply chains and inflate US consumer prices, contrary to Trump’s “wealth generation” claims. For India, opportunities emerge in textiles and apparel, where higher tariffs on competitors could boost market share. Yet, without structural reforms to enhance export efficiency, as suggested by the Global Trade Research Initiative, gains may falter. Indian policymakers must negotiate strategically, leveraging the ongoing US-India trade talks targeting $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, to mitigate this tariff’s sting while exposing its shaky foundations.

Chandan Kumar Nath

Sorbhog, Barpeta

Fish production and challenges

Our state has a sub-tropical climate excellent for the development of freshwater fish culture in various available water bodies. Although the state produces 4.43 lakh tonnes of fish from all water sources against the nutritional demand of 5.16 lakh tonnes, considering the basis of the minimum nutritional requirement of 15 kg per capita per annum, the state has not achieved self-sufficiency in fish production, and the reason is the selling of brood fish in the market. Quality fish seed and feed are the main inputs for fish farming practices, as they determine the overall production scenario of fish. The state government's recent clamping of a blanket ban on catching brood fish of certain species from April 1 to July 15 will definitely help the natural breeding, propagation and growth of fish in all fisheries and other natural water bodies. The progress of inland fishery, particularly the culture sector, is attributed to the success of the induced breeding technique. The April 4 editorial 'Challenges of boosting fish production in Assam' has rightly said the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana's (PMMSY) financial assistance of Rs 3000 to each traditional fisherman's family during the fishing ban/lean period for three months is not adequate, and increasing the amount to meet the project cost of Rs 9.45 crore substantially is much needed, as there is no clarity about supporting the fishermen's families after the flagship scheme comes to an end. There is no doubt that the ban is directly linked with the fish production in the state and enhancing the income level of fishermen. But, at the same time, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) should safeguard the interests of marginalised fish farmers with adequate insurance coverage to prevent traditional fishermen withdrawing from fish farming and seeking other livelihood avenues due to loss of income during the ban period and floods. It is the need of the hour for all stakeholders to adopt climate-resilient and environmentally friendly technology while initiating a well-thought-out NDFB-funded scheme for attaining self-sufficiency and sustainability in the state's fish production.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

An appeal

Every day, we Asomiyas come across disturbing reports about the incursion of Nagas and Arunachalis into Assam. While doing so, they also forcibly abduct Asomiyas and demand hefty ransoms for their release. We understand that we have one Bir Lachit Sena who used to look after the security and welfare of Asomiyas with their HQ in Sivasagar. In the meantime, they have made their presence felt in Sivasagar by imposing punishment on non-Assamese petty traders residing in Sivasagar for decades and getting acclimatised to local culture for reasons best known to them. Through this letter I appeal to the cadres of Bir Lachit Sena to give shelter and protection to those helpless Asomiyas residing in Assam-Nagaland and Assam-Arunachal border by opening branches of their organisation in those vulnerable areas. They must be aware of the plight of Asomiyas residing in riverine areas of Barpeta, Darrang, Goalpara, and Nagaon districts who are passing sleepless nights due to threats from people of doubtful nationality.

Hope this letter will receive due attention from the top leaders of Bir Lachit Sena, and they will do the needful. Else they will be treated as a 'paper tiger', like the Shiv Sena (UT) party in Maharashtra.

Joel Gayari,

Tangla.

Bharat Kumar of Indian cinema

Known for iconic films with patriotic themes, Manoj Kumar had earned the honorific Bharat Kumar. His best-known films were Purab Aur Paschim, Upkar and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, to name a few. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri and the Dadasaheb Phalke awards. He will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace.

Jubel D'Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)