3 in 4 CEOs Want India to Negotiate With US: BS Poll

Majority say they're not changing strategy to tackle tariff challenge

- BS REPORTERS

A vast majority of Indian chief executive officers (CEOs) would prefer the Indian government to engage in trade negotiations with the United States, rather than adopting a retaliatory approach, following the imposition of a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian exports, shows a dipstick survey of 15 top executives.

A nationwide survey conducted by Business Standard soon after the Trump administration imposed tariffs on several countries showed that 80 per cent of the CEOs wanted India to negotiate with the American government (see chart). "The government should not have a knee-jerk reaction. The current government's approach of wait and watch is the right way. The government should focus on global competition and not depend on a few countries," said the CEO of a leading firm, asking not to be named.