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| ISID, in collaboration with the Centre for WTO Studies (CWS), organised a Policy Roundtable on “India’s Trade and Manufacturing Prospects Amid Trump Tariffs” on September 19, 2025. Hosted by the India International Centre (IIC), the session was moderated by Prof Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID. Distinguished panellists were; Mr Ajay Shankar, Former Industry Secretary; Dr Anup Wadhawan, Former Commerce Secretary; Dr Pravakar Sahoo, Programme Director, NITI Aayog; and, Mr Sumanta Chaudhuri, Principal Adviser, CII. Dr Pritam Banerjee, Head, CWS, delivered the closing remarks. The discussion focused on the implications of high tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration on India’s exports, particularly in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, and seafood, and explored policy options to safeguard economic growth, protect jobs, and support MSMEs. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment. |
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| The global trading system is undergoing a major crisis, with the leading trading nations turning protectionist. High tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration on India, in particular, have important implications for the country’s exports to its largest market, especially of labour-intensive industries such as textiles and garments, leather goods, gems and jewellery, shrimp, among other products. There is a big concern about their impact on economic growth, exports, and most importantly, on jobs and MSMEs, which tend to dominate these sectors. At this policy roundtable, a panel of noted experts will discuss the challenges posed by these tariffs, among other measures, for India’s economic prospects and policy options to deal with them. |
Distinguished Panellists
- Prof Nagesh Kumar, Director ISID (Moderator)
- Mr Nitin Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India
- Mr Ajay Shankar, Former Industry Secretary
- Dr Anup Wadhawan, former Commerce Secretary
- Dr Pravakar Sahoo, Programme Director, NITI Aayog
- Mr Sumanta Chaudhuri, Principal Adviser, CII
- Dr Pritam Banerjee, Head CWS (Closing Remarks)
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