We Talk: Indian scholar: U.S. tariff plans threaten consumer interests

On February 13, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive memorandum titled "Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs." The "reciprocal tariffs" entails that the United States imposes tariffs on imports at the same level as its trading partners do on American goods. The decision has drawn widespread attention and strong reactions globally.

S. Parameswaran, an Indian professor and expert in trade, cautions that these policies could impede the development of free trade and undermine the process of globalization. The tariff barriers instituted by the U.S. may trigger a chain reaction, impacting the prices of essential consumer goods such as steel and cars, ultimately limiting consumer choices.