India, Aug. 11 -- In a striking and aggressive maneuver that embodies hardball trade tactics, US President Donald Trump has imposed an average 50 per cent punitive tariff on Indian goods imports, effective August 27. This action has disrupted Indian export sectors, given that the US constitutes approximately 20 per cent of total Indian exports and represents 2 per cent of its GDP. A sharp increase in tariffs will make Indian exports significantly more expensive and drastically reduce their competitiveness in the American market.

The United States stands as India's largest trading partner, with total goods exports reaching $86.51 billion. Remarkably, around 44 per cent of these exports stem from pharmaceuticals ($10.5 billion), electronic...