India, like other nations, will now face a standard 15 per cent tariff, after Trump raised the so-called ‘worldwide tariff’ on Saturday. In other words, a trade deal as it stands will not lower US tariffs for India. There appears to be an escape hatch built into the joint statement issued by both countries. Biswajit Dhar, trade economist and former JNU professor, argued there are several aspects of the proposed trade deal, which were mentioned in the joint statement, that should be looked into. The joint statement suggested fruits such as apples and nuts would find their way to India.

Source: The Telegraph February 21, 2026 23:44 UTC