After weeks of speculation, US President Donald Trump has officially unveiled a sweeping tariff policy, sending shockwaves across global trade. Speaking from the White House's Rose Garden, Trump, armed with giant cue cards, announced a universal 10% tariff on all imports into the United States, effective from April 5, with an additional 16% hike kicking in from April 10.

For India, the announcement came with a particular sting. The US accused New Delhi of imposing a 52% tariff on American goods, prompting a retaliatory 26% import duty on Indian exports—exactly half of what the US claims India levies.

However, this move has sparked mixed reactions in India. While the tariff hike is significant, it falls short of the worst-case scenario many feared. According to an India Today report, key Indian industries, including pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, have dodged the impact, along with sectors like copper, lumber, and minerals.

Some trade analysts see this as a "manageable blow" rather than an all-out assault on Indian exports. A senior Indian government official, speaking to PTI, confirmed that the Commerce Ministry is actively assessing the situation and considering potential countermeasures.