Ajay Srivastava

Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative, is an ex-Indian Trade Service officer with expertise in WTO and FTA negotiations.

Gloves Off: Trump Hits China with 100% Extra Tariff in Chip-vs-Rare-Earth Showdown

As the US hits China with 100% tariffs, Beijing retaliates with rare earth curbs. India must read the fine print—no US deal is ever final in a world of shifting power.

Ajay Srivastava

October 11, 2025 at 5:34 AM IST

White House

From Energy Trade to Strategic Trust: India and Qatar’s Expanding Ties

Briefing

India and Qatar are entering a new phase of bilateral engagement. Here’s an explainer on their geopolitical and economic ties, as the two countries prepare to announce a trade deal this week.

Ajay Srivastava

October 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM IST

iStock.com

Most Indian Pharma Exports May Escape US Tariff, But Uncertainty Clouds Branded Generics

US 100% tariff plan sparks confusion: if branded generics are treated as patented drugs, India is safe; if as branded imports, then some pharma exports face trouble.

Ajay Srivastava

September 26, 2025 at 7:56 AM IST

Istock.com/moussa81

Smartphones to Pharma, India’s Key Exports to US Take a Hit

Some tariff-free products are collapsing despite facing zero duties, while several highly-taxed sectors are showing surprising resilience

Ajay Srivastava

September 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM IST

iStock.com/wsfurlan

India’s Metal Exports to EU Plunge 24% as CBAM Reporting Hits MSMEs

Despite having a two-year transition period since October 2023, India has not significantly advanced its CBAM preparedness. Exporters, especially MSMEs, lack clarity on emissions reporting and verification processes.

Ajay Srivastava

September 20, 2025 at 10:17 AM IST

iStock.com

India–US Talks: Breakthrough Unlikely Unless Trump Drops Extra 25% Tariffs

Making of a stalemate? India wants the 25% Russia-linked penalty dropped — but that won’t be easy for Washington, since it is already citing the tariff in its Supreme Court defence

Ajay Srivastava

September 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM IST

Act Before It’s Too Late, Build a Sovereign Digital Backbone

India’s economy and security are deeply reliant on US software, cloud, and social media platforms, creating a major vulnerability in times of geopolitical tension.

Ajay Srivastava

September 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM IST

iStock.com

Why India Must File Amicus Brief in US Tariff Appeal

By remaining silent, India risks allowing Trump’s narrative to stand uncontested at the highest court in America.

Ajay Srivastava

September 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM IST

iStock.com

Setting the Record Straight on Trump’s India Rant

While the US has a trade deficit of $45 billion with India, once all commercial earnings are counted, Washington runs a healthy $35–40 billion surplus.

Ajay Srivastava

September 2, 2025 at 6:15 AM IST

Gage Skidmore

Shielding India’s Exports: A 10-Point Plan to Survive the US Tariff Shock

With US tariffs on Indian goods surging to 50%, a 10-point plan outlines how India can cut costs, revive schemes, and protect exporters while building long-term competitiveness.

Ajay Srivastava

August 30, 2025 at 6:54 AM IST

iStock.com

Which Sectors Will US Tariffs Hit Most and How to Brace for it

GTRI examines the scale and distribution of the impact across sectors, the potential GDP implications, and the strategic responses required.

Ajay Srivastava

August 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

US, EU Framework Agreement on Trade and Lessons for India

New Delhi should push for similar carve-outs and flexibilities in CBAM and sustainability rules, especially to shield Indian SMEs and exporters from disproportionate costs.

Ajay Srivastava

August 22, 2025 at 4:55 AM IST

White House

Fresh China Bonhomie Shouldn’t Sidetrack Imperative of Self-Reliance

China has eased some export curbs to India, but with a $100 billion trade deficit and sweeping import dependence, India’s only real shield lies in building self-reliance and resilient supply chains.

Ajay Srivastava

August 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM IST

How Some Importers Mined a Scheme for Exporters to Dodge Exchequer

It was meant to be a scheme to help cut input costs for exporters. It turned into a licence to loot. Here’s an explainer on how the saga started, and is still unfolding.

Ajay Srivastava

August 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

Seven Possible Endgames for India in the US Tariff Standoff

India faces seven possible endgames in its tariff standoff with Washington. The right mix of negotiation and fortification could decide the long game.

Ajay Srivastava

August 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM IST

iStock.com

Trump Tariffs Have Entered the Test Arena. Here’s a Comeback Plan

India’s exports to the US may drop nearly 30% as steep tariffs bite across textiles, shrimp, jewellery and metals. Here’s a five-point action plan to mitigate the impact.

Ajay Srivastava

August 5, 2025 at 5:19 AM IST

With US–EU Deal Done, Spotlight Shifts to New Delhi

Recent trade deals of the US share a clear structure: Washington imposes new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 20% above MFN rates, while securing near-complete tariff elimination from its partners.

Ajay Srivastava

July 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM IST

c.europa.eu/

Scotch for Mangoes Works, but Drug IP Concessions Deserved a Red Flag

India-UK FTA

India’s trade pacts with the UAE, Switzerland, and now the UK are steadily trading market access for deeper concessions on patents, procurement, and regulatory control.

Ajay Srivastava

July 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM IST

PIB

Indonesia’s Lop-Sided US Deal Shows Why New Delhi Must Bargain Hard

As details of the Indonesia–US trade deal emerge, it offers India key lessons, including how Washington can extract its pound of flesh at whim.

Ajay Srivastava

July 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM IST

White House

India Must Not Be the Next Casualty of Trump’s Phone-Based Deals

To avoid misrepresentation, as was the case with the US deals with Jakarta and Hanoi, India must insist on a jointly issued, written statement before acknowledging any agreement.

Ajay Srivastava

July 19, 2025 at 11:46 AM IST

White House

The Bureau

Too Much Paper, Too Little Appetite: State Bond Strains Persist

Markets Cautious Despite Hopes of Trump–Xi Meeting

India’s September Retail Inflation Lowest Since 2017; Core Rises to 4.5%

Gold ETFs Log Record Inflows in September; Equity Fund Inflows Ease for Second Month

Steel Industry Gets Temporary Relief on BIS Rule; GTRI Urges Full Rollback

As Bihar Turns Into a Battleground, Swing Voters Could Rewrite the Map

India’s Biggest Investor Base Is Still on the Sidelines

Will India's Ban on Online Money Games Work? Or Will It Meet the Same Fate as Liquor Prohibition?

Jallikattu: Tamil Nadu’s Ancient Bull-Taming Tradition