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Trump’s doubling of tariffs on Indian imports takes effect, hiking tensions

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Trump’s doubling of tariffs on Indian imports takes effect, hiking tensions


A 3D-printed miniature model of US President Donald Trump, the Indian flag and the word “Tariffs” are seen in this illustration taken July 23, 2025. — Reuters 
  • 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.





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Savannah Guthrie visits “Today” studio, says she intends to return to show

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Savannah Guthrie visits “Today” studio, says she intends to return to show


Savannah Guthrie stopped by the “Today” show studio to see colleagues on Thursday, NBC News said in a statement shared with CBS News. It was the first time Guthrie had been in the studio since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, disappeared over a month ago. 

NBC said that Guthrie plans to eventually return to “Today.” The network did not specify when that might happen.   

“Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her TODAY colleagues,” the company said. “While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”

During her visit to Studio 1A, Guthrie embraced staff and crew, according to “Today.” She reportedly thanked her colleagues for “caring about my mom as much as I do,” the show said.

“I wanted you to know that I’m still standing, and I still have hope, and I’m still me,” she said. “And I don’t know what version of me that will be, but it will be.”

Nancy Guthrie poses with daughter Savannah Guthrie in an undated photograph.

Courtesy NBC/Today/Handout via Reuters


“I have every intention of coming back,” Guthrie also said, according to the show. “I don’t know how to come back, but I don’t know how not to. You’re my family. And I would like to try.”

Guthrie’s last appearance on “Today” was January 30, 2026, two days before Nancy was reported missing. Guthrie has spent most of the past month with her siblings and their families in Arizona, where her mother and sister live.

Law enforcement have said they believe the 84-year-old was taken from her Tucson home overnight in the early morning hours of Feb. 1. No suspects or motive have been publicly identified. Law enforcement is continuing to analyze forensic and digital evidence related to the case. 

Guthrie has shared search updates on her social media and recently said that while the family understands they may not find Nancy alive, they “still believe in a miracle.” Guthrie has offered a $1 million reward for information about her mother’s disappearance. 

Possession of Nancy Guthrie’s home was recently returned to her family, and the FBI moved its command post from Tucson to Phoenix. A law enforcement source told CBS News the investigation was still continuing at full speed and that the move would allow for law enforcement to operate more efficiently for the long-term. 



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Princess Anne marks milestone moment at UCL with historic Cloisters reopening

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Princess Anne marks milestone moment at UCL with historic Cloisters reopening


Princess Anne marks milestone moment at UCL with historic Cloisters reopening

Princess Anne carried out another engagement on Thursday at the historic Bloomsbury campus of University College London.

The Princess Royal made a low-key arrival at UCL to meet students, academics and staff who are helping mark a milestone moment in the university’s long history.

The visit centred on the formal reopening of the beautifully restored Wilkins Building Cloisters that forms part of the university’s original 19th-century design.

During her time on campus, Anne spoke with those involved in the restoration project and learned more about how the university is celebrating its landmark anniversary.

Anne attended the event in her role as Chancellor of the University of London.

The last time a British monarch visited the university for such a milestone was nearly a century ago, when King George V and Queen Mary attended celebrations marking UCL’s centenary in 1927.

Earlier, the horse-loving royal was also spotted arriving at the National Equine Forum at One Birdcage Walk in Westminster, a key gathering for experts across the equestrian world.

On March 3, she paid a visit to The Old Department Store, where a once-traditional high street landmark is beginning a new chapter as a bustling community hub.

The royal guest was given a tour of the revitalised building, hearing about the ambitious “High Street Reimagined” vision that aims to transform the historic space into a centre for social enterprise, collaboration, and local innovation.

One of the highlights of the visit saw the Princess Royal explore several of The Grace Network’s social enterprise ventures operating within the space. 





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Here’s what it plans to do

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Here’s what it plans to do


China’s next five-year strategy is out: Here’s what it plans to do 

China has unveiled its ambitious new five-year plan that focuses heavily on artificial intelligence as leaders aim to secure an edge in an intensifying rivalry with the United States.

The five year plan was released at the opening session of the National People’s Congress, calling for sweeping adoption of AI across multiple sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and logistics.

The 141-page blueprint introduces a broad “AI+ action plan” focusing on integrating technology throughout the Chinese economy.

Premier Li Qiang pointed out that technology as a pillar of what China terms “new quality productive forces,” suggesting a stronger emphasis than in earlier policy outlines.

The government made clear that it will pursue “decisive breakthroughs in key core technologies” and seize the “commanding heights” of global innovation.

Major focused fields include quantum computing, 6G telecommunications, humanoid robots, nuclear fusion and brain-computer interfaces.

In the next five years, China aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology specially advanced semiconductors due to rising trade tensions with the U.S.

Beside technology, the government also announced a 7 & increase in defense budget for 2026.





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