Future tense for agri as Trump tariff to kick in

AS April 2 approaches, India faces uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on India and 25 other countries.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY @New Delhi

These tariffs could impact sectors like agriculture, which employs about 700 million people and is crucial for food security.

Currently, there is a lack of clarity regarding how the US will implement these reciprocal tariffs especially on agriculture and allied sectors.

"We still do not have clarity on whether the reciprocal tariffs will be applied sector-wise, as a single reciprocal tariff for each country, or if there will be separate tariffs for industrial and agricultural products," stated a senior official from the Ministry of Commerce.

Designed to protect small farmers and compliant with WTO rules, India's tariffs include significant rates on key agricultural products like 45% on soybean and 100% on wheat.

"India's tariffs adhere to WTO regulations," explained Abhijit Das, former Head and Professor at the Centre for WTO Studies at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.