The US is pressing India to eliminate tariffs on car imports under a proposed trade deal, aiming to ease Tesla’s entry. India currently imposes duties as high as 110%, which Elon Musk has criticized. US President Donald Trump also slammed India's high auto tariffs, warning of reciprocal action. While India is open to reductions, it remains reluctant to cut tariffs to zero immediately. Talks between trade officials are ongoing, with Indian automakers like Tata Motors and Mahindra opposing drastic cuts, fearing it could impact local manufacturing. The two nations target $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

India’s Securities and Exchange Board (Sebi) has banned YouTuber Asmita Patel and six others for selling illegal stock tips disguised as education. Patel, who called herself the “She-Wolf of the stock market,” allegedly earned over $11.4M from trading courses while making just $13,700 in trading profits. The crackdown follows complaints from 42 investors. Critics argue Sebi’s delayed action and new strict regulations could stifle genuine financial education. “It should have acted earlier,” said journalist Sucheta Dalal. Sebi now seeks greater powers to monitor online financial content.

Here & Now 365 won the "Campaign of the Year" award at the 'GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards 2025' in London. The awards celebrate the achievements of Britain’s ethnic minorities.   The agency was recognised for its Vatika #RootForMe campaign. The campaign used comedy to address important social issues. It focused on the gender pay gap, racial and religious bias, and inclusion for women of colour.   Comedians Shazia Mirza and Sikisa led the campaign. It combined humour with real facts to spark conversations. The campaign included live performances, social media engagement, and large-scale outdoor ads. It was displayed in Times Square, NYC, and the London Tube.   Founder Manish Tiwari said, “This campaign was about real change. We are proud to receive this award.”   Here & Now 365 had also received a Special Commendation for the campaign at the Marketing Week Awards 2024. The agency continues to create impactful campaigns that promote diversity and inclusion.

A Hong Kong-based firm, CK Hutchison, has agreed to sell its majority stake in two key Panama Canal ports to a BlackRock-led group in a $22.8B deal. The move follows pressure from former US President Donald Trump, who argued that Chinese influence over the canal poses a national security threat. The deal involves 43 ports globally but requires Panamanian approval. Panama, which took full control of the canal in 1999, rejects US claims, with President Mulino reaffirming its sovereignty. CK Hutchison insists the sale is purely commercial. BlackRock, alongside Swiss firm Terminal Investment Limited, will assume ownership amid ongoing geopolitical tensions over control of the vital trade route.

In a significant escalation of trade tensions, China has vowed to retaliate against the United States' recent decision to double tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian criticized the U.S. for using the fentanyl crisis as a "flimsy excuse" to justify the tariff hikes, asserting that America alone is responsible for its opioid crisis. In response, Beijing announced additional tariffs of up to 15% on U.S. agricultural products, including chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, effective March 10. Furthermore, China expanded its export control list, adding 15 American companies, such as drone manufacturer Skydio, restricting Chinese firms from exporting dual-use technology to these entities. Lin emphasized China's readiness to "fight till the end" in any conflict initiated by the U.S., be it a tariff war, trade war, or otherwise.

President Donald Trump announced the implementation of reciprocal tariffs targeting countries like India, China, Brazil, and South Korea, effective April 2, 2025. These measures aim to counteract what he perceives as unfair trade practices, where these nations impose higher tariffs on U.S. products compared to the minimal or nonexistent tariffs the U.S. charges on their goods. Trump highlighted that India imposes over 100% tariffs on certain American products, while China and South Korea also maintain significantly higher tariffs. He emphasized that these reciprocal tariffs are designed to protect American farmers, manufacturers, and workers from longstanding imbalanced trade policies. Trump also criticized the quality of imported goods, labeling them as "dirty and disgusting" due to inadequate testing before entering the U.S. market.

Global stock markets tumbled after Trump’s tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico triggered retaliatory measures. "There is no justification for this," said Canada PM Trudeau, announcing 25% tariffs on $150B in U.S. goods. China imposed 10-15% duties on U.S. agriculture, while Mexico prepared contingency plans. The Dow Jones fell 1.5%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.8%, and Asian and European markets also declined. Analysts warn U.S. households may pay $2,000 more yearly. “We’re now in a risky global scenario,” said Andrew Wilson of the ICC.

China has banned imports of gene sequencers from U.S. medical equipment maker Illumina, effective March 4, 2025, in retaliation to President Donald Trump's additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. This move follows Illumina's inclusion on China's "unreliable entity" list in February, citing the company's suspension of transactions and discriminatory measures against Chinese enterprises. Gene sequencers are essential for analyzing DNA or RNA sequences, aiding in the study of genetic variations and diagnosis of rare conditions. China constitutes about 7% of Illumina's sales. Illumina stated it will continue serving its Chinese customers while assessing the impact of the ban.

China has imposed new tariffs on key U.S. agricultural exports, including soybeans and beef, in response to recent U.S. trade measures. The move intensifies ongoing trade tensions between the two global powers. U.S. farmers, already struggling with fluctuating market conditions, face further challenges as China remains a major buyer of American agricultural products. The retaliatory tariffs could disrupt supply chains and impact global commodity prices. While U.S. officials criticize the decision, China asserts it’s protecting its economic interests. Analysts warn this escalation may lead to prolonged trade instability, affecting both economies. The Biden administration is expected to reassess its trade strategy amid growing concerns from American exporters.

President Donald Trump's recent decision to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with increasing tariffs on Chinese goods from 10% to 20%, has sparked significant debate. Renowned investor Warren Buffett described these measures as "an act of war," emphasizing that tariffs function as a tax on goods, ultimately leading to higher consumer prices. He humorously remarked, "The Tooth Fairy doesn't pay 'em!" Economists warn that such tariffs could disrupt international trade and escalate tensions, especially with China, which has vowed to retaliate. Financial markets reacted negatively; the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.5%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.8%, and the Nasdaq decreased by 2.6%. Automakers like General Motors and Ford experienced notable stock declines due to their manufacturing ties with Mexico. Despite these concerns, Trump maintains that the tariffs will encourage domestic production, urging companies to relocate manufacturing to the United States.