For context, the other eight FTAs together accounted for about 16% of India’s total trade in 2024-25, while the EU itself accounted for nearly 12%. Under the latest deal, the EU will drop tariffs on 99.5% of the items that India exports, with most going down to zero immediately upon implementation. Such a mature and pragmatic approach to persistent hindrances is the way large economies must negotiate with each other. At the moment, this tariff applies to only six products, but is designed to include all industrial goods in some years. Otherwise, the gains so painstakingly bargained for will be too late to offset the U.S. tariff pain.

Source: The Hindu January 29, 2026 05:01 UTC