Day after, Trump jacks up global tariff to 15 pc

Indian exporters uncertain about the actual quantum of levy; govt studying the situation

- PUSHPITA DEY

UNCERTAINTY prevails over the actual tariff Indian goods would attract after the US Supreme Court struck down the reciprocal levy imposed by the Trump administration on Friday.

Shortly after the verdict, Trump announced a uniform 10% global tariff on all nations. On Saturday, he scaled up that figure to 15%, which is 3% short of the 18% levy he had announced for India early this month.

During the next few months, “the Trump administration will determine and issue new and legally permissible tariffs”, he said on social media.

With Trump claiming on Friday that "nothing has changed" for India, confusion persisted on the actual quantum of levy.

The judgment came at a time when India is on the verge of signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the US. The Modi government has not yet clarified the status of the interim negotiations. On Saturday, it said it is analysing the developments before taking a final view. “We are studying all developments for their implications,” the Ministry of Commerce said.