India Pledges to Avoid Protectionist Trade Measures, Says Top Official

India’s Finance Secretary, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, has emphasized the country’s commitment to avoiding protectionist trade measures. This statement follows the recent reduction of import duties on high-end motorcycles, such as those from Harley-Davidson, with engine capacities of 1,600 cc or more, from 50% to 30%. The move aims to signal India’s openness to trade, especially in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. Pandey highlighted that the budget also reduced average basic customs duties on various items, including raw materials for domestic industries like textiles and automobiles, bringing the average tariff down to 11% from 13%. However, trade analysts note that India’s average tariffs remain higher compared to countries like the United States, Japan, and China. The government plans to phase out these protective measures as domestic industries mature.