Selected Tag: Ajay Srivastava

Ajay Srivastava

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

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/

India-UK FTA

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

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

India Should Continue Buying Russian Oil

The message from India should be clear: it’s willing to work with the US where interests align, but won’t alter strategic decisions out of fear of tariffs.

Ajay Srivastava

July 17, 2025 at 6:12 AM IST

iStock.com

Trade by Threat: Trump’s New Model Forces Compliance, Not Cooperation

According to sources, India has already submitted its final offer. But New Delhi must tread carefully. Trump’s model isn’t an FTA —it’s a YATRA: Yielding to American Tariff Retaliation Agreement

Ajay Srivastava

July 8, 2025 at 6:10 AM IST

Becker1999/ Via Wiki Commons

China's Strong-Arm Tactics Need A Calibrated Response

China has not issued any official explanation for withdrawing engineers from Foxconn plant in India, but the timing is telling. New Delhi is on the verge of finalising a trade deal with Washington.

Ajay Srivastava

July 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM IST

India-US FTA

India Pushes For Zero Tariff On Labour-Intensive Exports As Talks Enter Last Leg

India demands zero tariffs on key exports in US FTA talks, crucial for job growth and MSME boost. Will the US bite?

Ajay Srivastava

July 2, 2025 at 5:48 AM IST

Trade Deal

Talks Enter Final Stretch, But India, US Hold Cards Close To The Chest

The July 8 deadline is significant. It marks the end of President Trump’s 90-day suspension of the “Liberation Day” country-specific tariffs, originally announced on April 2.

Ajay Srivastava

June 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM IST

White House

Diluting Local Content Norm In Telecom Supplies Not In Sync With Make In India

DoT's plan to ease local content norms may aid MNCs like Cisco, but threatens Indian telecom firms' hard-won gains, weakening strategic autonomy.

Ajay Srivastava

June 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM IST

iStock/paule858

Israel-Iran Conflict

US Entry To Test India’s Diplomacy, Studied Neutrality

The world stands closer to a World War III–type confrontation than at any point in decades with the US and Israel attacking Iran, China and Russia backing Tehran, and Pakistan quietly aligning with Washington. For India, this is a moment of high stakes.

Ajay Srivastava

June 22, 2025 at 8:03 AM IST

White House

Trade Data Hints At India Emerging As Key Pivot In US–China Rift

India gains from shifting global trade as US–China flows dip, but rising Middle East tensions and protectionist trends pose fresh risks to supply chains, energy security, and export momentum.

Ajay Srivastava

June 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM IST

iStock.com/NiroDesign

Israel-Iran Conflict

Collateral Risks Outweigh Bilateral Trade Exposure For India

As conflict escalates in West Asia, India faces rising risks—not from direct trade loss, but from potential disruptions to vital shipping lanes that underpin its energy security and export flows.

Ajay Srivastava

June 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM IST

Saeed Qaq/Anadolu via Getty Images

Why Tariff Cuts On US Farm Goods Could Leave Scars

NITI Aayog’s paper suggests reducing tariffs on select US farm products. However, this could be a risky move, as tariffs locked in an FTA are difficult to raise later, even during global disruptions, price drops, or rural economic distress.

Ajay Srivastava

June 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM IST

AI generated

What Should be India’s Plan B as US Rejects Its Steel Tariff Challenge

India faces tough choices after the US rejected its WTO challenge on steel tariffs: pursue a legal fight, impose retaliatory duties, or seek a deal through ongoing FTA talks with Washington.

Ajay Srivastava

June 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM IST

Trump’s Metal Cacophony: Indian Exporters May Face The Music

Trump doubles US steel, aluminium tariffs to 50%. Will India’s $4.56 bn metal exports take the hit or fight back? Retaliation looms as global trade tensions resurface.

Ajay Srivastava

June 1, 2025 at 8:31 AM IST

iStock.com

Why India Shouldn’t Rush To Seal Trade Deal With US

With Trump tariffs ruled illegal, India must reassess its strategy for trade talks and avoid one-sided concessions shaped by unlawful US pressure.

Ajay Srivastava

May 29, 2025 at 7:20 AM IST

The Hidden Surplus: How India Fuels US Profits Beyond Trade

The US earns $80–85 billion a year from India via education, tech, finance, IP royalties, and arms—flows that stay hidden outside the narrow lens of goods trade data.

Ajay Srivastava

May 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

Remittance Tax

The Ugly Side Of Donald Trump’s The One Big Beautiful Bill

The US proposal to tax remittances will hit Indian household income and may also have a bearing on the exchange rate. Nearly, 28% of India’s $120 billion remittance in 2023–24 came from the US.

Ajay Srivastava

May 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM IST

Gage Skidmore/CC

India Hits $770 Million In Imports From Bangladesh With Port Restrictions

India’s import curbs on Bangladeshi goods signals rising tensions amid Dhaka’s pivot to China, trade restrictions, and a shifting South Asian power balance. Is reconciliation still possible?

Ajay Srivastava

May 18, 2025 at 7:02 AM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

Why Tim Cook Should Listen To Trump, Shift iPhone Assembly To US

India gains little from shallow iPhone assembly but could benefit from deeper reforms—chips, displays, batteries—and a correction in inflated US trade deficit figures.

Ajay Srivastava

May 16, 2025 at 5:50 AM IST

File Photo

WTO Move Against US Signals India Is No Pushover

The action comes at a delicate moment. New Delhi and Washington are exploring a broader Free Trade Agreement, and this retaliation could cast a shadow over negotiations.

Ajay Srivastava

May 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM IST

Trump’s Drug Order Is A Wake-Up Call For India’s Pharma Policy

Trump’s price cap move may trigger global pressure on India to dilute its patent regime. New FTAs show signs of troubling concessions.

Ajay Srivastava

May 12, 2025 at 7:16 AM IST

UK Firms Get Foothold In Govt Contracts; Are Indian MSMEs On Equal Footing In UK?

Allowing UK firms to compete on near-equal terms under FTA could crowd out Indian MSMEs, which depend heavily on protected access to government contracts.

Ajay Srivastava

May 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM IST

iStock.com

Don’t Show The Other Cheek—India Must Push Back On US Trade Pressure

Trump dubbed India the “tariff king” first in 2019, then kept the crown insults coming in his second term. But there’s method to the madness: spin the story, steal a better bargain.

Ajay Srivastava

May 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM IST

Gage Skidmore/CC

For Export To US, Make In India Has To Truly Be Made In India

To benefit from US tariffs and boost exports, Indian firms must go beyond surface-level assembly and meet stringent Rules of Origin norms.

Ajay Srivastava

April 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM IST

Indian Small-Item Producers Can Get A Toehold In US, With Some Handholding

China doesn’t ship just smartphones and computers to the US. It exports nearly $150 billion worth of small goods every year. Many of these are also made in India.

Ajay Srivastava

April 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM IST

Indian E-Commerce May Get A Peek Of US Market, Fingers Crossed On Red Tape

Scrapping of de minimis exemption for China And Hong Kong Allows Indian Companies An Edge In shipping small items to the US

Ajay Srivastava

April 13, 2025 at 9:13 AM IST

India Should Sidestep Trump’s Tariff Games, Build Value Chains With China

Instead of an FTA, India could pitch a limited “Zero-for-Zero” deal with the US, mirroring Europe’s approach, covering 90% of industrial goods while shielding sensitive areas like autos.

Ajay Srivastava

April 10, 2025 at 6:19 AM IST

iStock.com/NiroDesign

Explainer

India Likely to Gain from Trump’s Tariff Overhaul

Trump’s new tariffs hit Asia hard—but India escapes the worst. A GTRI explainer shows how this could reboot Indian exports and supply chains.

Ajay Srivastava

April 3, 2025 at 4:20 AM IST

US Trade Report Expects The Moon From India

India is not opposed to reform or global cooperation, but any engagement must be fair, reciprocal, and respect its sovereignty.

Ajay Srivastava

April 1, 2025 at 8:21 AM IST

Trump’s Latest Salvo May Be An Opportunity For Indian Automobile Sector

Trump’s latest tariffs may have limited impact on India’s automobile industry; New Delhi must look at it as an opportunity.

Ajay Srivastava

March 27, 2025 at 8:18 AM IST

Gage Skidmore

US May Demand More Than Its Pound Of Flesh In FTA Talks With India

Why getting an FTA ratified won’t be easy, and how its implementation could trigger Trump’s tariff tantrums in full force.

Ajay Srivastava

March 26, 2025 at 5:41 AM IST

Gage Skidmore/CC

Interview: Why India's Trade Story Is Not Looking Up with Ajay Srivastava

Rajesh Mahapatra

Ajay Srivastava

March 24, 2025 at 4:53 AM IST

Reciprocity Is Key To India’s Talks With EU On Medical Devices

The EU has zero customs duties, but market entry costs are significant because of its stringent regulatory framework.

Ajay Srivastava

March 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM IST

iStock.com/stefanamer

Dairy In Focus As India, New Zealand Resume Trade Talks

India, New Zealand restart FTA talks after a decade, with dairy access a key hurdle. Can they bridge differences on tariffs and market access?

Ajay Srivastava

March 18, 2025 at 8:32 AM IST

India’s Fastener Import Ban Is A Self-Inflicted Wound

India’s import halt on steel fasteners risks disrupting manufacturing, raising costs, and stalling growth. A policy rethink is urgent.

Ajay Srivastava

March 13, 2025 at 1:06 PM IST

iStockimages/prabhjits

Nothing Should Be Off The Table, Not Even Withdrawing From US Trade Talks

US wants India to lower tariffs while protecting its own. New Delhi must push back with a fair, strategic trade deal—on its own terms.

Ajay Srivastava

March 8, 2025 at 4:51 AM IST

Trump’s Tariff Blitz: A Warning For India’s Trade Negotiators

Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico expose the fragility of U.S. trade deals — even ones Trump himself negotiated.

Ajay Srivastava

March 4, 2025 at 8:22 AM IST

Fake BIS Certifications Threaten India's Quality Control And Safety

Substandard imports with fake BIS certifications flood Indian markets, putting consumer safety and domestic industry at risk.

Ajay Srivastava

March 4, 2025 at 5:22 AM IST

India’s Tariffs Fit WTO Rules, Unlike The United States’ Trade Barriers

India’s tariffs reflect WTO rules designed for developing economies. The real threat to global trade comes from the US abandoning these same rules.

Ajay Srivastava

March 4, 2025 at 5:03 AM IST

India’s Tariff Dilemma Under Trump 2.0 — Retaliate, Appease Or Pivot?

Trade wars rarely have heroes. With Trump targeting India’s tariffs, the smartest move may be neither fight nor flight — but patience.

Ajay Srivastava

March 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM IST

Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs May Not Hurt India Much

If the US genuinely seeks tariff parity, it must choose a clear methodology—either by product or sector.

Ajay Srivastava

February 14, 2025 at 7:43 AM IST

Sourav Mishra

US Metal Tariffs: Pushing Global Trade In Known, Tensed Territory

If history is any indication, Trump may leverage these tariffs to secure concessions for American goods in trade negotiations.

Ajay Srivastava

February 10, 2025 at 9:13 AM IST

More Than Just Harley Fat Boys In Budget Day Duty Cuts

As Trump doubles down on tariffs, India takes the opposite route—slashing duties on key US exports. Could this unexpected shift reshape the global trade narrative?

Ajay Srivastava

February 3, 2025 at 5:15 AM IST

Deregulation: The Missing Catalyst For India's Growth

India’s economic growth hinges on reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and fostering a more business-friendly environment. The Economic Survey 2025 underscores the need for deregulation, structural reforms, and strategic investments to sustain momentum amid global uncertainties.

Ajay Srivastava

January 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM IST

PIB

“Tariff King” India Must Insulate Itself With Strategic Moves From Trump Tariffs

India faces potential tariff hikes under US President Donald Trump, who has labeled it the "Tariff King." India must prepare strategic responses to mitigate the impact.

Ajay Srivastava

January 30, 2025 at 9:20 AM IST

The Bureau

India’s Economy Expands 7.8% in June Quarter, Highest in Five Quarters

Rupee Hits Record Low as Tariff Shock Fuels FPI Outflows

Trump Tests the Guardrails of US Credibility

India’s Industrial Output Growth Hits Four-Month High of 3.5% in July

Fed Eyes Data Before Rate Decision; Trump’s 50% Tariff on India in effect

Fitch Affirms India Rating Days After S&P Upgrade, Points to Tariff Risks

Lifting the Lid on Regulatory Silence

How Some Importers Mined a Scheme for Exporters to Dodge Exchequer

Sanjeev Sanyal on Trump, India’s Growth Path, and Process Reforms

Sarci-Sense: About Silent Goodbyes & How Middle-Age Friendships Disappear

iStock.com