New Delhi, April 3
India has emerged favourably placed in the first round of reciprocal tariff announcements by the US, especially compared to key electronics export competitors like China, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, following the extraordinary and relentless efforts by its negotiators and leaders, industry experts said on Thursday.
While some countries like Brazil and Egypt enjoy marginally better tariff outcomes, India’s positioning, particularly with China facing combined tariffs of up to 54 per cent-79 per cent and Vietnam at 44 per cent, offers a valuable near-term window of export competitiveness.
“However, the true long-term inflection point for India's electronics trade with the US will rest on the successful conclusion of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The BTA must now become the cornerstone of our trade strategy, unlocking stable market access, tariff predictability, and a framework for scaling high-value electronics exports,” Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), told.
As the geopolitical and economic landscape evolves, India must strategise swiftly, leveraging trade diplomacy, domestic policy shifts, and industrial resilience to mitigate risks and maintain its competitive edge in global trade, said industry leaders.