US President Donald Trump’s confirmation of a 25% tariff and an unspecified penalty on Indian goods has been cast as a sharp escalation in trade tensions. Yet, as policy think-tank Global Trade Research Initiative points out, India may have emerged better positioned than countries that chose to strike deals with Washington.The UK, European Union, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam secured tariff relief only after making sweeping concessions — zero tariffs on American farm goods, multi-billion-dollar investment pledges and large-scale purchases of US oil, gas and arms. According to GTRI, these agreements tilt heavily in Washington’s favour, leaving signatories burdened with obligations that go beyond trade into strategic alignment.
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