Nirmala Sitharaman Says ‘Too Soon to Comment’ on Impact of US Tariff Shifts After Supreme Court Ruling

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said it was premature to assess how recent changes in US tariff policy would affect the Indian economy, following the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down key global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

“On the Indian economy, I think it’s a bit too soon for me to comment,” Sitharaman told reporters at a press conference, adding that the evolving trade landscape required careful review.

Addressing questions on India–US trade engagement, she noted that the Commerce Ministry was evaluating the situation. “On trade, particularly aside from the Indian economy in general, the Commerce Ministry is reviewing the situation and the delegation will have to take a call on when they’re going to go for further negotiations. It’s a bit too early for me to comment,” she said.

The remarks came amid significant policy developments in Washington. The US Supreme Court recently invalidated multiple tariffs introduced during Trump’s global trade measures. Soon after the verdict, Trump announced a fresh baseline duty on imports, initially set at 10% and later raised to 15%.

For India, the revised 15% rate is viewed as more favourable than earlier scenarios, remaining below the previously discussed bilateral framework levels and substantially lower than past peak tariff proposals.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said it was closely studying the implications of the ruling and subsequent US actions. “We have noted the US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs. President Trump has also addressed a press conference in that regard. Some steps have been announced by the US Administration. We are studying all these developments for their implications,” the ministry said in a statement.