
🚩Learnings with Earnings | Indian Stock Market | Economic State & Predictions 2025
February 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
*Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs & Its Impact on India 🇺🇸🇮🇳 – The Full Picture*
1️⃣ What Are Reciprocal Tariffs?
Trump's "Reciprocal Tariff Executive Order" mandates:
🔹 Countries that impose high tariffs on US goods will face matching US tariffs.
🔹 Aimed at reducing the US trade deficit and boosting American manufacturing.
🔹 India, with its high tariff structure, is one of the biggest targets.
2️⃣ Why Is India in the Crosshairs?
India has one of the highest tariff rates globally on US imports.
🔹 Average Indian tariffs on US goods: 9.5%
🔹 US tariffs on Indian goods: 3%
Some key differences:
🔹 Whiskey: 150% import duty in India vs. 0% in the US
🔹 Motorcycles (Harley-Davidson): 100% in India vs. 2.4% in the US
🔹 Medical Devices: Up to 40% in India vs. 0-5% in the US
🚨 Now, the US will impose matching tariffs on Indian exports 🚨
3️⃣ Indian Sectors That Will Suffer the Most
If the US enforces reciprocal tariffs, these Indian sectors will be hit the hardest:
🔻 Textiles & Apparel: 🇮🇳 exports $8B to the US annually
🔻 Pharmaceuticals: US is India's largest pharma buyer (~$7B trade)
🔻 IT Services: 🇮🇳 Indian IT firms generate 40%+ revenue from the US
🔻 Jewelry & Gems: $10B exports from India at risk
🔻 Auto Components & Steel: Facing potential 25% tariff hikes
4️⃣ Impact on the Indian Stock Market 📉
🇺🇸 US-India trade tensions = Bearish sentiment for Indian equities
💫Sectors that may see a negative impact:
🔻 Textile & Apparel: Raymond, Arvind, Welspun India
🔻 Pharma: Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Cipla, Biocon
🔻 Auto & Components: Tata Motors, Bharat Forge, Motherson Sumi
🔻 IT Services: Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL Tech
💫Sectors that may benefit:
🔹 Defense & Domestic Infra: BEL, L&T, BHEL (as India boosts self-reliance)
🔹 Agri & Dairy: Amul, Britannia (if US food imports get costlier)
🔹 Energy & Oil Companies: Reliance, ONGC (as India imports more US energy)
5️⃣ How Will FIIs React? 💸
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) are highly sensitive to US-India trade relations.
📉 If tensions rise, FIIs may:
- Exit export-heavy stocks (Pharma, IT, Auto).
- Shift funds to China, Vietnam, or US markets.
- Reduce overall exposure to Indian equities (leading to Nifty corrections).
📈 But if India negotiates a deal:
- FIIs may stay invested and buy into dips.
- Defense, domestic consumption, and energy sectors may see inflows.
6️⃣ India’s Countermeasures – What Modiji is Doing?
PM Modi has already started damage control:
✔️ Lowering tariffs on select US products (e.g., whiskey, almonds, defense imports).
✔️ Increasing energy imports from the US (oil, LNG).
✔️ Seeking middle ground through trade negotiations.
✔️ Exploring alternative markets (Europe, UAE, ASEAN) to diversify exports.
7️⃣ How Does This Align With Trump’s America First Policy?
✔️ Trump wants to boost American manufacturing by reducing dependency on foreign imports.
✔️ India is not the only target—the EU, Japan, and Mexico are also in the trade war.
✔️ Trump believes high US tariffs = jobs coming back to the US.
✔️ India has to respond strategically without escalating tensions.
8️⃣ The Rupee Factor – Will INR Depreciate?
📉 Rupee may weaken due to:
- FII outflows as foreign investors exit Indian stocks.
- Trade deficit widening due to tariff-related export decline.
- Safe-haven demand for USD, making INR weaker.
9️⃣ How Can India Gain From This?
Not all is bad! Some sectors may benefit:
✔️ Defense: More US pressure = India boosts self-reliance → BEL, HAL gain.
✔️ Energy: India increasing US oil imports = Reliance, ONGC gain.
✔️ Agriculture & Dairy: If US food imports face tariffs, Indian brands (Britannia, ITC) gain.
Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat push may accelerate due to trade barriers.
🔟 Key Takeaways & What’s Next?
🔹 Short-term pain: Exports hit, stock market volatile, rupee under pressure.
🔹 Long-term gain: India may reduce dependence on the US, strengthen domestic industries.
🔹 Modi’s response will be key—does India negotiate or counter with its own tariffs?
🔹 Watch FII flows closely—market reaction will depend on their next move.
🔹 Trade war is real, but India can turn it into an opportunity.
🚨 Brace for market moves! 🚨
*Source X worth to read*
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