Breaking News: US cuts tariffs on India to 18%, lowest among Asian nations

India has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the recent US tariff cuts in Asia. After the reduction, India now faces the lowest American tariff rate among major Asian economies at 18%. In comparison, the US continues to impose significantly higher tariffs on other countries—China at 34%, Japan at 24%, South Korea at 25%, Bangladesh at 20%, Indonesia at 19%, and Pakistan at 19%. This makes India the country receiving the maximum tariff relief from the United States across the region, with rates slashed from 50% to 18%. The decision has drawn strong reactions from India’s top leadership. Home Minister Amit Shah called it a step that will strengthen strategic partnership, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it will boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described it as a major support for India’s manufacturing vision, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal linked it to the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. Chief Ministers Yogi Adityanath and Devendra Fadnavis also hailed it as a historic global trade opportunity. Former US Trade Representative Mark Linscott welcomed the deal, calling it long-awaited and mutually beneficial. Notably, this comes just days after India signed an FTA with the European Union, making it a double trade boost within a single week.

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