Govt fears trade war may trigger surge in US agri imports

Rising Concerns

- RAVI DUTTA MISHRA & AANCHAL MAGAZINE

AMID ESCALATING GLOBAL trade tensions, the commerce and industry ministry is assessing the risks of significant trade diversion from other countries to India and is particularly concerned about the likely surge in imports of US farm produce and factory goods from China, Vietnam, and Indonesia into the country, a government official said on Tuesday.

"A recent assessment highlighted the risk of merchandise dumping into India due to reciprocal tariffs amid global trade tensions. Rising US costs may prompt exporters from countries like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia — all facing US trade deficits — to divert goods to India, potentially triggering import surges. Additionally, Chinese retaliatory tariffs on US goods could further increase the inflow of US agricultural products into India," the official said.