GS2 · India–US relations

US cuts tariff on Indian goods to 18%

Battle IAS current affairs title card: US cuts tariff on Indian goods to 18% (GS2 · India–US relations, 2 February 2026)

What happened

  • The PM thanked President Trump for reducing the US tariff on Indian products to 18% [PIB].

Background

  • The US is India’s largest export market. Earlier tariff hikes had hit textiles, gems and seafood.

Why it matters

  • Lower tariffs restore price competitiveness for labour-intensive exports.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India

  1. As per PIB (2026-02-02): the PM thanked President Trump for reducing the US tariff on Indian products to 18%.
  2. Lower tariffs restore price competitiveness for labour-intensive exports.
Quotable data point

The PM thanked President Trump for reducing the US tariff on Indian products to 18%.

PIB: PMO: PM speaks to President Trump, 2 Feb 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Mains: India–US trade.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Reduced US tariff on Indian goods

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

India's largest export destination

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Announced on

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

Official source: PIB: PMO: PM speaks to President Trump, 2 Feb 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending