U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% "secondary tariff" on countries purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela, effective April 2, citing concerns over violent migrants. This move is part of a broader strategy to address the $1.2 trillion goods trade deficit by imposing tariffs on sectors like automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and aluminum. The announcement led to a nearly 1.5% rise in benchmark crude oil futures. China, the largest importer of Venezuelan oil, along with Spain, Italy, Cuba, and India, may be significantly affected. The policy's flexibility caused U.S. stocks to rise, with the S&P 500 gaining 1.8%. (PC: Reuters)

Indian stock markets surged on Monday as the Sensex jumped 1,003 points to 77,908.57 and the Nifty50 gained 286.95 points to 23,637.35. The rally was fueled by a strong return of foreign institutional investors (FIIs), who had pulled out ₹2.4 lakh crore since September. On Friday alone, FIIs invested ₹7,470 crore—the highest single-day inflow in four months. Analysts cite improving domestic economic indicators and fair valuations as key factors. “FIIs shifting from sellers to buyers has triggered massive short covering,” said VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investment Services. (PC: India Today)

India has imposed anti-dumping duties on five Chinese products—unframed glass mirrors, isopropyl alcohol, sulphur black, cellophane transparent film, and thermoplastic polyurethane—to protect domestic industries from underpriced imports. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) recommended these measures after investigations revealed that these products were being sold in India below normal value, causing material injury to local manufacturers. The duties, effective for five years, vary by product: unframed glass mirrors face a duty of $234 per tonne; isopropyl alcohol, used in medical and industrial applications, is taxed between $82 and $217 per tonne; sulphur black, a dyeing agent, incurs up to $389 per tonne; cellophane transparent film, a packaging material, is levied at $1.34 per kg; and thermoplastic polyurethane, utilized in automotive, medical, and electronics industries, is charged between $0.93 and $1.58 per kg. (PC: Bangkok Post & Supply Chain Brain)

Facing potential U.S. tariffs and a widening trade deficit with China, India is considering easing certain trade and investment restrictions. This includes lifting some measures imposed after the 2020 Galwan clashes, such as visa limitations for Chinese personnel and non-tariff barriers on imports. Additionally, India may relax the 2020 policy that mandates government approval for investments from countries sharing land borders, notably China. These steps aim to counterbalance U.S. trade pressures and improve bilateral economic relations with China. The government is also contemplating allowing previously banned Chinese apps and resuming flights and visas for Chinese scholars. These measures are seen as strategic moves to diversify trade partnerships and mitigate external economic pressures. (PC: SME Futures)

China's Vice Premier He Lifeng recently met with leaders from multinational corporations, including Apple, Pfizer, Mastercard, and Cargill, to emphasize China's commitment to enhancing its business environment and attracting foreign investment. He described China's economy as "highly resilient" and "full of vitality." These discussions occurred during the China Development Forum, where Premier Li Qiang urged global market openness to counteract rising instability and uncertainty. The forum, attended by 86 companies from 21 countries, highlighted China's efforts to boost domestic consumption amid geopolitical tensions and new U.S. tariffs. Despite challenges, business leaders like Corning's CEO expressed confidence in China's long-term market potential. (PC: MSN)

Boeing has initiated a global workforce reduction, resulting in the layoff of approximately 150 to 180 employees at its Boeing India Engineering Technology Center (BIETC) in Bengaluru. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce the company's global workforce by 10%, equating to around 17,000 positions, amid financial challenges and production issues with its 737 MAX aircraft. Despite these layoffs, India remains pivotal to Boeing's operations, with nearly 6,500 employees based at BIETC facilities in Bengaluru and Chennai. The company emphasizes that the layoffs have been strategically implemented to minimize disruption to customers and maintain safety and quality standards. (PC: News18 & Boeing)

In light of the impending April 2 deadline for reciprocal tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, senior U.S. officials are set to visit India to engage in critical trade discussions. Trump has expressed concerns over India's high tariffs on American goods and anticipates substantial reductions. During a recent interview, he stated, "I believe they're...probably going to be lowering those tariffs substantially, but on April 2, we will be charging them the same tariffs they charge us." India's Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, has been in Washington to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement aimed at averting these reciprocal tariffs. Both nations are working to address issues related to tariff and non-tariff barriers, with the goal of finalizing the first phase of the agreement by the end of 2025. (PC: Fortune India & Bizz Buzz)

India is set to become the world's consumption capital, driven by rising incomes, workforce expansion, and changing household structures, according to a report by Angel One. Consumption accounts for 56% of India's GDP and is projected to double by 2034. India's savings are expected to jump 10-fold to $103 trillion by 2047, unlocking massive spending potential. Tax cuts in the union budget could boost GDP by 1%. Consumer electronics, apparel, and experiences will see the fastest growth. With more Gen Zers than the U.S. population, India’s consumption boom is set to reshape global markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he anticipates India will significantly reduce its tariffs on American goods. In a recent interview, Trump stated, "I believe India is probably going to be lowering those tariffs substantially." This development follows his earlier criticisms of India's high import duties, referring to the nation as a "tariff king" and highlighting the substantial trade imbalances between the two countries. Trump emphasized that if India does not adjust its tariffs by April 2, the U.S. will impose reciprocal tariffs equal to those India levies on American products. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt further criticized India's trade practices, noting a 150% tariff on American alcohol and a 100% tariff on agricultural products.

On March 17, 2025, India and New Zealand officially restarted negotiations on a long-stalled free trade agreement (FTA). Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral trade, which currently stands at over $1 billion. The agreement is expected to benefit key sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, technology, and tourism. India's Trade Minister, Piyush Goyal, stated that the pact could increase trade tenfold in the next decade. The renewed discussions signal a commitment to economic cooperation and a stronger strategic partnership between the two nations.