India Must Diversify Exports, Reduce U.S. Reliance: Expert on Trump Tariffs

### Quick Summary
– Trade policy expert Biswajit dhar suggested India explore “decoupling” from the U.S. and diversifying export destinations in response to American tariff policies.
– Professor Dhar made these remarks during a seminar titled ‘Trump tariffs and the world trade order: India’s immediate and longer-term policy options,’ held in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, August 23, 2024.
– He emphasized that india should strengthen engagement with other developing nations but noted that political thinking would be required for this shift.
– Dhar warned that U.S. tariff measures signal a move away from post-war development discourse and may undermine global sustainable development goals.- He likened the U.S.’s policies to a form of economic imperialism aimed at consolidating its global dominance.
– The session was organized by kerala Economic Association (KEA) alongside Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT),with various experts including KEA general secretary Santhosh T Varghese contributing.

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### Indian Opinion Analysis
India’s potential decoupling from U.S.-centric trade systems addresses important strategic concerns tied to changing tariff policies under protectionist frameworks like those enacted during Trump’s presidency. By diversifying export avenues, notably toward developing nations, India could reduce exposure to abrupt shifts in external economic environments dominated by unilateral priorities.

However, such realignment demands robust political will coupled with structural reforms designed for sustainable collaborations within emerging markets ecosystems.It also underscores critical questions about India’s self-perception-whether it prioritizes developed-country aspirations or leverages partnerships among peers in developmental trajectories.

professor Biswajit Dhar’s observations about broader implications for post-war development goals reflect growing tensions between globalization ideals versus national-interest-driven economics shaping contemporary geopolitics. For policymakers,navigating this dynamic equates to balancing ambitions while fostering better resilience amid evolving global orders.

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