Modi’s ‘Make in India’ vs Trump’s ‘Make in America’ — collision ahead after the Xi-Trump Summit?

U.S.–India economic relationship seems to be shifting from the old “natural partners” narrative into something more transactional and contentious. The forced-labor issue recently highlighted by the Trump Administration is especially interesting, especially as it comes on the heels of the Xi-Trump summit in Beijing: Washington is not just accusing Indian exporters of using forced labor; the argument is also about whether India sufficiently blocks third-country inputs (especially supply-chain links involving China) that Washington considers tainted. The U.S. has floated additional tariffs under a forced-labor rationale.

So, wither the Quad? Wither the much flaunted India as counter to China?

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AJAY SRIVASTAVA

MR.  SRIVASTAVA Founder, Global Trade Research Initiative (an Indian research group specializing in technology, climate change, and trade. He took voluntary retirement from the Government of India in March 2022, having served as an Indian Trade Service Officer. Ajay worked in trade policy formulation and WTO and FTA negotiations, being part of the Indian team negotiating FTAs with ASEAN, Japan, Korea, Australia, the EU, and others. He writes regularly for the Indian media including Business Standard, Hindu Business Line, and Times of India. He is the author of books such as ‘Stop Talking, Start Exporting,’ ‘The GST Nation,’ and ‘Business Guide to FTA.

Ajay Srivastava is Founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, an Indian research group specializing in technology, climate change, and trade.