Friday, March 13
The United States has extended the suspension of reciprocal tariffs on India until August 1, offering a temporary respite for Indian exporters. This extension allows more time for negotiators to resolve pending issues under an interim trade deal. While other nations received tariff notifications, India's absence signals ongoing discussions.
Samsung Electronics anticipates a significant drop in second-quarter operating profit, exceeding 50%, due to US export restrictions on AI chips to China and underperforming foundry operations. The company projects profits of 4.6 trillion won, a 56% decrease year-over-year. Despite this slump, Samsung anticipates improved factory utilization and demand recovery in the latter half of 2025.
President Trump is delaying the tariff deadline for countries without trade agreements with the US to August 1, releasing tariff letters to Japan and South Korea, imposing 25% rates. These tariffs could be lowered with negotiated deals but raised if retaliatory measures are considered.
US President Trump has announced new tariff rates effective August 1, 2025, impacting trade partners. Letters sent to Japan and Korea reveal a 25% tariff. Meanwhile, Trump warned of additional tariffs on nations associated with the BRICS bloc, accusing them of anti-Americanism.
Indian telecom users are likely to face another round of tariff hikes by the end of 2025, with prices potentially increasing by 10-12% for mid- and high-paying consumers. This revision is influenced by a surge in active subscribers and the return of secondary SIM users. Operators may adopt tiered pricing models, focusing on data usage and speeds to maximize revenue.
Jefferies projects a slowdown in India's corporate revenue and earnings growth for FY26 due to an anticipated moderation in nominal GDP growth to 9%, the second-lowest since FY04, excluding FY21. Despite steady real GDP growth, easing inflation is the primary driver. This deceleration may also impact credit expansion, potentially affecting the financial sector and investment momentum.
Tesla's stock price fell sharply after Elon Musk and Donald Trump clashed. Investors are worried about the impact on Tesla's government support. Musk's political moves and ties to controversial groups are also factors. The stock has lost significant value since December. Market watchers are concerned about growing competition and brand perception. Uncertainty looms as Musk delves deeper into politics.
Asian markets experienced a downturn on Monday due to renewed uncertainty surrounding US tariff policies, exacerbated by OPEC+'s unexpected output increase. Trump's announcement of potential tariff hikes on trading partners caused anxiety, particularly as negotiations with key nations like India and Japan are underway.
India is revamping its shipping strategy after a previous scheme failed to boost the share of cargo carried by Indian ships. The new plan involves inter-ministerial consultations and aims to create a fleet of Indian-built vessels to meet rising import demands in key sectors like petroleum, steel, and fertilizers.
India's real estate sector witnessed a significant rebound in Q2 2025, with institutional investments soaring by 122% to $1.80 billion, driven primarily by foreign investors targeting commercial assets. Despite this quarterly surge, overall inflows remained 42% lower year-on-year, reflecting a cautious approach amid global economic uncertainties.
