Tariff Slash to 18% as India-US Trade Deal Reboots Bilateral Ties
KOLKATA – The Calcutta Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a strategic consultation to dissect the transformative India-US Interim Trade Agreement 2026 and India’s expanding Free Trade Agreement (FTA) landscape.
The session, led by Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Krishna Gupta (IAS) and former Additional DGFT Shri Sanjeev Nandwani (ITS Retd.), highlighted a landmark shift in economic relations. Key highlights include:
Massive Tariff Reductions: Reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods have been slashed from nearly 50% to 18%, providing a significant competitive edge for exporters.
KOLKATA – The Calcutta Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a strategic consultation to dissect the transformative India-US Interim Trade Agreement 2026 and India’s expanding Free Trade Agreement (FTA) landscape.
The session, led by Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Krishna Gupta (IAS) and former Additional DGFT Shri Sanjeev Nandwani (ITS Retd.), highlighted a landmark shift in economic relations. Key highlights include:
Massive Tariff Reductions: Reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods have been slashed from nearly 50% to 18%, providing a significant competitive edge for exporters.
Market Expansion: The deal grants preferential access to the $30 trillion US market, specifically boosting labor-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, and gems.
Agricultural Gains: Over $1 billion in Indian agricultural exports, such as tea and spices, will now receive zero-duty treatment.
The TRUST Framework: A new "Technology, Research, and User-based Security Trust" initiative will now govern co-production in defense and semiconductors.
Chamber President Shri Anant Saharia emphasized that these agreements—including ongoing pacts with the EU and UK—are vital for resilient supply chains and the Make in India initiative.