Entertainment
Trump’s doubling of tariffs on Indian imports takes effect, hiking tensions
- Tariffs of up to 50% threaten Indian exporters and jobs.
- Failed talks blamed on political misjudgment, missed signals.
- US, India seek to highlight security partnership.
WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump’s doubling of tariffs on goods from India to as much as 50% took effect as scheduled on Wednesday, escalating tensions between the world’s two largest democracies and strategic partners.
A punitive 25% tariff imposed due to India’s purchases of Russian oil adds to Trump’s prior 25% tariff on many products from India. It takes total duties to as high as 50% for goods such as garments, gems and jewellery, footwear, sporting goods, furniture and chemicals — among the highest imposed by the US and on par with Brazil and China.
The new tariffs threaten thousands of small exporters and jobs, including in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat.
An Indian Commerce Ministry official said on condition of anonymity that exporters hit by tariffs would receive financial assistance and be encouraged to diversify to markets such as China, Latin America and the Middle East.
A US Customs and Border Protection notice to shippers provides a three-week exemption for Indian goods that were loaded onto a vessel and in transit to the US before the midnight deadline. These goods can still enter the US at prior lower tariff rates before 12:01am EDT (0401 GMT) on September 17.
Also exempted are steel, aluminum and derivative products, passenger vehicles, copper and other goods subject to separate tariffs of up to 50% under the Section 232 national security trade law.
India trade ministry officials say the average tariff on US imports is around 7.5%, while the US Trade Representative’s office has highlighted rates of up to 100% on autos and an average applied tariff rate of 39% on US farm goods.
Failed talks
As the midnight activation deadline approached, US officials offered no hope for India to avert the tariffs.
“Yeah,” said White House trade adviser Peter Navarro when asked if the increased tariffs on India’s US-bound exports would go into effect as previously announced on Wednesday. He offered no further details.
Wednesday’s tariff move follows five rounds of failed talks, during which Indian officials had signalled optimism that US tariffs could be capped at 15%, the rate granted to goods from some other major US trade partners including Japan, South Korea and the European Union.
Officials on both sides blamed political misjudgment and missed signals for the breakdown in talks between the world’s biggest and fifth-largest economies. Their two-way goods trade totaled $129 billion in 2024, with a $45.8 billion US trade deficit, according to US Census Bureau data.
Exporter groups estimate hikes could affect nearly 55% of India’s $87 billion in merchandise exports to the US, while benefiting competitors such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and China.
Sustained tariffs at this rate could dent India’s growing appeal as an alternative manufacturing hub to China for goods such as smartphones and electronics.
The US-India standoff has raised questions about the broader relationship between India and the US, important security partners who share concerns about China.
However, on Tuesday the US State Department and India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued identical statements saying senior officials of the ministries and defense departments met virtually on Monday and expressed “eagerness to continue enhancing the breadth and depth of the bilateral relationship.”
Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to the Quad, a partnership that brings together the US and India with Australia and Japan.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of TV host Savannah Gutherie, is still missing but police have now found a new clue that might help the case.
A glove was found near her Tucson home and it got DNA on it, giving investigators something to study further about.
The glove was found about two miles from her house a couple of weeks after she disappeared on February 1 and it looked like that the masked man wore those gloves who was caught on her security cameras.
Sheriff Chris Nanos said the DNA belongs to someone but it might not be the kidnapper.
The person, however, works at a restaurant near the area but police haven’t shared their name just yet.
Other gloves found nearby are being tested in Florida, so the search is still ongoing.
Some experts think that there could be more than one kidnapper as blood evidence in Guthrie’s house makes them believe someone may have been holding her while waiting for a car.
Nancy’s daughter, Savannah and her family are offering a $1 million reward for any information that could help find her.
The case is still open and police is doing their best to follow any leads which might help them find Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen at her home on the night of Jan. 31.
Zayn Malik and his daughter Khai share their love for music and recently attended a new concert together.
The 33-year-old musician took to Instagram and shared a picture of his five-year-old daughter, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Gigi Hadid, enjoying the TWICE concert for their This Is For tour.
The Pillowtalk hitmaker praised the K-pop girl group, writing, “Massive thanks for giving the girls the best night ever.”
The picture posted on Zayn’s Story showed Khai standing in the concert suite wearing a glittery outfit and sneakers as she followed the dance steps, and another kid her age who wore a similar ensemble.
The March 4 concert was not the first time the dad-daughter duo attended a concert, rather due to their shared enthusiasm for K-pop, back in July, they attended a BLACKPINK concert in New York City.
In an Instagram Story at the time, Zayn shared a picture of the both of them, writing, “@Blackpinkofficial thank you. Me & Khai loved it.”
Previously speaking about Khai’s inclination towards music, the Dusk Till Dawn singer shared on The Zach Sang Show, “She’s not expert-level, but she’s got a bit of rhythm when she’s hitting the drums and stuff. You can tell that she could definitely develop that into something.”
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandals have cast a dark shadow on his two daughters as their young families begin to suffer the consequences.
Princess Beatrice, who is the eldest daughter of Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, is reportedly going through marital woes with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
According to a recent report, the 37-year-old royal, already under stress owing to her father, is now facing intense criticism from her in-laws, who belong to Italian aristocracy. Edo’s family is furious over the Andrew scandals and they believe their son has been trapped in a difficult situation.
Soon after the report, it was revealed that Edoardo, who shares two daughters with Beatrice, jetted off to a luxurious island report in the US. Meanwhile, King Charles’s niece remains in UK, as per GB News.
Edoardo also took to his social media to share the update with an aerial view from his airplane window of the scenic sight near the ocean. It’s unclear if the British businessman had stayed at the lavish Island or if it was a mere business trip on behalf of his company Banda.
The property developer’s friend has claimed that the Andrew scandal has been “affecting” everyone Edoardo’s family is angry and worried about his business.
However, the friend insisted that Edo has “no plans to leave” his young family and he “loves” Beatrice. He will be sticking by his family during this tough time.
Moreover, he was also seen with his wife and some of their friends in London grabbing a coffee in London.
Although, the sudden trip across the pond does appear odd. It is possible that was just a business matter and did not relate to his family strife.
Aaron Rodgers tears into ex-girlfriends: ‘I got myself into crazy town’
Switzerland’s Calida narrows sales decline, lifts profit in 2025
Nancy Guthrie kidnapping mystery deepens after DNA found in glove
India Us Trade Deal: Fresh look at India-US trade deal? May be ‘rebalanced’ if circumstances change, says Piyush Goyal – The Times of India
What are Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities?
Attock Cement’s acquisition approved | The Express Tribune
-
Business6 days ago
India Us Trade Deal: Fresh look at India-US trade deal? May be ‘rebalanced’ if circumstances change, says Piyush Goyal – The Times of India
-
Politics1 week agoWhat are Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities?
-
Business7 days ago
Attock Cement’s acquisition approved | The Express Tribune
-
Business1 week agoHouseholds set for lower energy bills amid price cap shake-up
-
Politics1 week agoUS arrests ex-Air Force pilot for ‘training’ Chinese military
-
Fashion7 days agoPolicy easing drives Argentina’s garment import surge in 2025
-
Sports6 days agoLPGA legend shares her feelings about US women’s Olympic wins: ‘Gets me really emotional’
-
Fashion6 days agoTexwin Spinning showcasing premium cotton yarn range at VIATT 2026