The US says India and Washington are making progress toward a finalized trade deal as both sides meet in Washington, DC. A senior US official told ANI that new negotiations are underway, with Indian delegates present to resolve remaining gaps in the agreement. The comments suggest momentum after ongoing discussions, even as key issues still require agreement.
Alan Blinder, former Federal Reserve vice chair, sharply criticizes Donald Trump’s approach to economics and rhetoric, arguing that tariffs are contractionary and that political pressure is undermining trust in American statistics. Blinder also warns that the US retreat from globalization could worsen uncertainty and weaken the future of global trade, with ripple effects beyond India and the US.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Harvard economist Jeffrey Frankel says the US faces recession odds about three times the usual level amid Trump’s tariff push. He argues tariffs could mean slower growth alongside higher prices, weaken capital formation, and add uncertainty around the dollar. Frankel also warns that dismantling post-war trade rules could ripple outward, even if some voters still back the plan.
India and New Zealand are set to sign their Free Trade Agreement on Monday, April 27, after negotiations wrapped up last year. The deal is designed to sharply lift bilateral commerce, with both sides aiming to double trade to $5 billion within five years. It is also expected to provide tariff-free access for Indian goods, reshaping market access quickly.
India’s Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is pitched as a reboot for efficiency and competition. But critics warn the structure could realign risks and costs toward consumers, turning “power for profit” into a quiet tariff shift. The question: will discoms get a breather—or will households quietly foot the bill?
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said India is a “tough nut to crack” as US and India negotiators wrapped up talks toward a bilateral trade agreement. India is pushing to protect agricultural markets, while the sides still need to agree on specific products such as distillers dried grains (DDGs). A US Supreme Court ruling against reciprocal tariffs has forced the deal to be recalibrated.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
Princeton economist Owen Zidar points to a growing class of “stealthy wealthy” Americans: private business owners who build wealth gradually. He argues U.S. tax cuts disproportionately help this group, while support for lower-income households shrinks—fueling inequality. Zidar also urges investment in the young for long-term prosperity and questions whether tariffs are a sound revenue plan.
Indian engineering exports reached a record US$122.43 billion in FY26, with the US remaining the biggest destination even amid tariffs. Shipments to West Asia and North Africa fell 51% amid rising regional tensions. While exports to the UAE and Saudi Arabia declined, Germany, the UK, and China powered growth.
The India UK free trade agreement is set to eliminate or slash tariffs on a range of goods and services, opening doors for Indian exporters and potentially reducing costs for buyers in India. Labour-intensive sectors like textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, and pharmaceuticals are expected to benefit most, while imported items may see price relief through lower trade barriers.
Bitcoin slipped toward $90,000 after failing to hold gains above $92,000 following Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran. Investors turned cautious as geopolitical worries boosted gold and silver and over $650 million flowed out of Bitcoin ETFs, leaving BTC and ETH trapped in a narrow, indecisive range.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
The India US trade deal is set to lower tariffs to 18%, reducing uncertainty and boosting exports, the rupee, and overall sentiment—at a scale that could rival the EU pact. But the tariff level is still far above pre Trump rates, and key hurdles remain, including FDI, capital flow pressure, and higher energy costs.
After pandemic-era disruption, Airtel has moved to hike telecom tariffs, a move seen as beneficial for the broader industry and crucial for Vodafone Idea’s recovery. With Vodafone Idea and Airtel pushing higher prices, the question now is whether Reliance Jio will mirror the tariff hikes—or quietly hold course to pursue its 500 million subscriber target.
Donald Trump has warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer that Britain could face big tariffs if the UK withdraws its 2% digital services tax. Trump calls the measure unfairly targeting American tech companies. The UK introduced the tax in 2020, and it has drawn criticism from both Trump and Joe Biden, putting UK-US trade ties under pressure.
India’s Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposes ending cross-subsidies, enabling private distribution, and setting tariffs closer to actual costs. If implemented, industrial power bills—especially for energy-intensive players like steel, cement, aluminium, and data centres—could fall, lifting margins. States with currently “distorted” tariffs are expected to benefit the most from the reset.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
Tesla chief Elon Musk discusses tariffs, H-1B visas, and his unusual involvement with the newly referenced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during Nikhil Kamath’s podcast. Musk calls it an “interesting side quest” that exposed how US government works. He also says he attempted to persuade Donald Trump that tariffs could harm the economy, but wasn’t successful.
From April 2026 to March 2027, India will allow export zones to sell products locally. The move is designed to help exporters cope with rising tariffs and supply-chain disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict, while improving use of SEZ capacity and reducing dependence on expensive imports. The policy could shift how firms balance export orders with domestic sales.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.