Category: international trade
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India’s Outward FDI: Building Global Corporate Champions
India’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) has accelerated sharply in recent years, signaling a new phase of globalization for Indian enterprises. In FY2024–25, outward FDI rose by more than 67%, reaching US$41.6 billion—a surge that underlines how Indian firms are moving beyond domestic consolidation to carve out an international footprint.…
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Global Trade Geometry: Shifting Patterns Since 2017
Since 2017, the geometry of global trade has been undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Major economies such as China, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States are no longer relying solely on traditional, long-standing trade alignments. Instead, they are deliberately reducing their geopolitical distance in trade, signaling a…
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Beyond Endurance: Why India Must Fast-Track Reforms Amid Global Trade Shocks
India’s recent economic performance—marked by a strong 7.8% GDP growth last quarter—has shown resilience in the face of global headwinds. Yet, as international trade pressures mount, particularly with the United States imposing steep tariffs, endurance alone will not be enough. To sustain momentum, India must move decisively on structural reforms,…
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Germany’s Export Slump Amid Industrial Resilience: What July 2025 Tells Us
Germany’s economic pulse in July 2025 reflected a paradox: exports stumbled while industrial production showed fresh signs of life. This contrast highlights the dual pressures on Europe’s largest economy—external shocks weighing on trade and internal resilience sustaining industrial momentum. Exports Falter Under Tariff Pressures German exports declined 0.6% month-on-month in…
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Global Trade at a Crossroads: EU Steel, Chemicals, and Semiconductor Battles
The Strain on European IndustryEuropean heavy industries are once again on the defensive. Steelmakers such as Thyssenkrupp warn of structural collapse if the European Union does not impose stronger trade protections. Their plea echoes U.S. industrial policy, where import tariffs shield domestic producers from cheaper foreign steel. The European concern…
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US Tariffs Send Shockwaves Across Indian Export Industries
The announcement of a 50% tariff by the United States on key Indian exports—including apparel, footwear, jewelry, shrimp, and textiles—has sent tremors across India’s manufacturing and export hubs. For thousands of workers and entrepreneurs in Tirupur, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Agra, the move is more than a policy change; it is…
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India’s Supply Chain: Cosmetic Rebranding or Real Economic Power?
India’s much-touted rise in the global supply chain looks impressive on the surface, but beneath the headline optimism lies a tangled reality that deserves deeper scrutiny. Celebrated as the “China Plus One” alternative, India is being billed as the new darling for multinationals thanks to its cost competitiveness and vast labour…
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Pharma Exports and Trade Diversification: India’s Strategic Pivot Beyond the U.S.
India’s pharmaceutical sector has long enjoyed a dominant export relationship with the United States, its largest and most lucrative market. In FY2025 alone, Indian pharma exports to the U.S. crossed $10.5 billion, cementing America’s role as the cornerstone of India’s global pharma trade. However, persistent concerns about tariff escalations and…
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Fracturing, Not Deglobalizing: The Emerging Shape of the World Economy
The global economy today is often described through the lens of deglobalization, but that framing risks oversimplifying what is truly happening. Rather than a retreat from global integration, what we are witnessing is a strategic fracturing of certain sectors. While trade, capital, and investment still flow across borders at scale,…
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Record FII Outflows and Indian Resilience
India’s financial markets faced a critical test in August 2025 when foreign institutional investors (FIIs) pulled out nearly ₹47,000 crore, marking the highest monthly outflow of the year. The exodus was triggered by global tariff shocks, weak corporate earnings, and a strengthening U.S. dollar. Sectors with heavy export exposure such…