With Donald Trump all set to become the 47th President of the United States, Indian exporters may face high customs duties on products such as automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals if the new administration pursues its “America First” agenda, according to trade experts.

The experts have also indicated that Trump might tighten H-1B visa regulations, which could raise costs and hinder growth for Indian IT companies. With over 80 per cent of India’s IT export revenues stemming from the US, these changes could make the sector vulnerable to shifts in visa policy.

The US stands as India’s largest trading partner, with annual trade exceeding $190 billion.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said that Trump might extend tariffs beyond China to include India and other nations, citing Trump’s earlier statement that India is a large tariff abuser and his October 2020 statement labeling the country as the tariff king. These comments hint at the likelihood of more challenging trade negotiations during Trump’s second term.

“His America First strategy is expected to advocate for protective measures, including reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, which could hinder key exports such as automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, diminishing their competitiveness in the US market,” Srivastava stated.

However, he also said that a tougher US policy towards China could potentially open up new markets for Indian exporters.

The bilateral trade in goods between the two countries stood at $120 billion in 2023-24 as against $129.4 billion in 2022-23.

A GTRI report had earlier stated that according to WTO’s World Tariff Profiles 2023, the US also imposes high duties on items like dairy products (188 per cent), Fruits and vegetables (132 per cent), cereals and food preparations (193 per cent), oilseeds, fats and oils (164 per cent), beverages and tobacco (150 per cent).

International trade expert Biswajit Dhar remarked that Trump is likely to increase tariffs across different sectors to fulfill his MAGA (Make America Great Again) mandate. “With Trump’s return to power, we are headed toward a new era of protectionism,” Dhar predicted, pointing out that sectors such as electronics might be adversely affected.

Furthermore, Dhar raised concerns about the future of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), emphasising, based on Trump’s past decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), there may be uncertainty surrounding IPEF’s stability. Launched on May 23, 2022, the 14-nation bloc could face challenges ahead.

Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), stated, “While we might see Trump advocating for more balanced trade, disputes around tariffs are likely to arise amid rising protectionist trends and stricter immigration policies.”

Agneshwar Sen, Partner for Tax and Economic Policy (International Trade) at EY India, said that the US might strategically implement high tariffs to promote domestic manufacturing and adjust existing supply chains, potentially leading to increased tariffs on Indian exports such as textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineering products.

“India may need to look for alternative markets, which would be challenging, or consider retaliatory tariffs on US exports. Alternatively, we should prepare for a trade deal that is appealing to the US, not only protecting our existing interests but also facilitating new opportunities,” Sen noted.

Additionally, Srivastava pointed out that Trump’s concerns regarding outsourcing could result in policy changes affecting IT exports. H-1B visa regulations are crucial for facilitating the movement of skilled IT professionals from India. “A stricter immigration approach from Trump could potentially alter visa rules, thereby raising costs for Indian IT companies,” he explained, PTI reported.

A case was registered against actor-turned-BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty by West Bengal Police on Wednesday for allegedly delivering a provocative speech during a party programme in North 24 Parganas district last month.

According to reports, the complaint against Chakraborty pertains to a speech he made during a BJP programme at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake area on October 27, based on which police registered an FIR at Bidhannagar South Police Station.

The programme, which took place in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was organised to kick off the West Bengal leg of the BJP’s membership drive.

“We have started an investigation into the case,” said a senior officer of Bidhannagar police reported by PTI.

BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar described the FIR a result of vendetta politics. Chakraborty has not commented on the FIR yet.

“There is nothing provocative in his speech. These are nothing but attempts to intimidate him by using police as a political tool,” the BJP state president said.

Chakraborty, who was awarded India’s highest film honor, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, earlier this year, asserted on October 27 that the “masnad” (throne) of West Bengal will be claimed by the BJP following the 2026 Assembly elections. He pledged to utilise all necessary efforts to accomplish this objective.

During his address at a program organised by the EZCC, Chakraborty stated, “In 2026, the masnad will be ours, and we will undertake all actions required to achieve this goal.”

In reference to TMC MLA Humayun Kabir’s communal comments directed at BJP supporters during the Lok Sabha elections, Chakraborty cautioned against any attempts to intimidate voters affiliated with the saffron party, encouraging them not to abstain from participating in the forthcoming Assembly elections. He called upon the booth-level workers of the BJP to firmly resist any such efforts.

On Wednesday, chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ echoed through the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly amid ruckus over the passing of a resolution calling for a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives regarding the restoration of the erstwhile state’s special status.

The Assembly witnessed chaos after the resolution’s approval, as BJP members surged into the well of the House, tearing copies of the document and directing slogans at the speaker and the National Conference (NC) government.

The intense protests from BJP members led to multiple interruptions in the proceedings, ultimately prompting the speaker to adjourn the session for the day.

As tensions escalated, NC and BJP representatives exchanged sharp remarks while opposition members raised various slogans, including ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ ‘August 5 Zindabad,’ ‘Vande Mataram,’ ‘Anti-national Agenda Nahi Chalega,’ ‘Anti-Jammu Agenda Nahi Chalega,’ ‘Pakistani Agenda Nahin Chalega,’ and ‘Speaker Hai Hai’.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Sunil Sharma, accused the speaker of bias, asserting, “Reports indicate that you (the speaker) convened a meeting of ministers yesterday to draft the resolution yourself.”

“We condemn the introduction of the bill by NC-Cong aimed at reinstating Article 370, deeming it unconstitutional and misleading. J&K legislative Assembly is not above the parliament and Supreme Court of India, which upheld the abrogation of Article 370. Abdullah family cannot restore 370 even after taking a thousand generations,” he said, speaking to the media.

Another BJP member, Sham Lal Sharma, claimed that the resolution was prepared in collusion with the speaker in a guest house.

Sharma further argued that the Assembly election mandate supported the abrogation of Article 370, highlighting that the BJP secured 26 per cent of the votes compared to NC’s 23 per cent. He urged the speaker to act independently, accusing him of behaving like an NC leader during the proceedings.

The Assembly approved the resolution by voice vote amidst the uproar from BJP members. The resolution, introduced by J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, sought to restore the special status that was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

Choudhary’s resolution emphasised the significance of the special status and constitutional guarantees that protected the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, expressing concern over their removal.

It urged the Government of India to commence dialogue with elected representatives from Jammu and Kashmir to restore the special status and constitutional protections, while ensuring that any restoration process respects both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the region’s residents.