Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated it’s premature to assess fresh US tariff changes’ effects on India’s economy, as the Commerce Ministry reviews developments post-Supreme Court ruling and Trump’s 15% Section 122 escalation.
Cautious Stance on Bilateral Talks
Commerce team led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain postponed US visit for trade deal legal text amid volatility; Sitharaman noted delegation will decide negotiation timing.
Budget 2026 Shields Against Trade Headwinds
Recent Union Budget doubled manufacturing/capex focus with tariff-hit sector relief (textiles, seafood), rare earth corridors, semiconductor push—fortifying resilience against protectionism.
Strategic Optimism Persists
India’s buffers like rupee dynamics, forex reserves, and diversification (EU FTAs) blunt blows; Sitharaman emphasized steady export path despite $86B+ US trade exposure.
