Core Insights - The article discusses the impact of Trump's trade protection policies on India, highlighting the unintended consequences for Indian exporters and the subsequent trade negotiations between India and the U.S. [1][3][5] Trade Policy Impact - After Trump's second inauguration in January 2025, he reinstated trade protection policies, imposing tariffs on various countries, including a peak tariff of 145% on Chinese goods, which later reduced to around 47% [1] - Indian exporters faced significant challenges as the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, leading to a drastic decline in exports and operational difficulties for Indian manufacturers [5][9] Bilateral Trade Negotiations - In February 2025, Modi visited Washington to initiate bilateral trade talks, aiming to increase trade from $190 billion to $500 billion, with India making concessions on tariffs for U.S. products [3][11] - By October 2025, both countries were under pressure to reach an agreement, resulting in India increasing imports of U.S. agricultural products and the U.S. easing tariffs on certain Indian goods [11][13] Economic Consequences - The tariffs led to a 37.5% drop in Indian exports to the U.S. from May to September 2025, severely affecting sectors like textiles and engineering [9] - The Indian government attempted to mitigate the economic fallout through subsidies and tax reductions, but businesses reported that these measures were insufficient without access to the U.S. market [9][11] Future Outlook - By November 2025, negotiations progressed towards a preliminary trade agreement, with expectations of reducing U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 15-16% and addressing market access issues [13] - The article concludes that while the immediate crisis was averted, the dream of a significant manufacturing shift from China to India remains unfulfilled for the foreseeable future [13]