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In a notable development for India-US trade relations, an Indian commerce ministry team is set to visit Washington for further negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA). The visit, expected to take place next week, follows recent discussions led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, who returned from Washington earlier this month. The upcoming talks will focus on both interim measures and the initial phase of the BTA. This visit comes amid heightened tensions, as the US has extended additional import duties on Indian goods, currently set at 26%, until August 1. The ongoing negotiations are crucial for addressing trade barriers and fostering economic cooperation between the two nations. 
Published: Jul 10 2025, 12 pmeznews.inDelhi-based Crystal Crop Protection Ltd (CCPL) is expanding its focus on seed exports, alongside its established crop protection products, targeting markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. CEO Satyender Singh highlighted the importance of registration processes, which can take up to three years, and noted that CCPL is currently exporting to 35 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Japan, with an export business valued at ₹200 crore. The company, which has a ₹2,700 crore turnover and has made 13 acquisitions in recent years, is investing significantly in research and development, particularly in seed innovation, with a goal of reaching ₹1,000 crore in revenue within the next two to three years. CCPL aims to enhance its crop protection offerings with unique products while maintaining a strong commitment to serving Indian farmers through extensive distribution networks and partnerships. 
Published: Jul 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inBrazil, which supplies one-third of the coffee consumed in the United States, faces potential shipment redirection to Europe and Asia due to a new 50% tariff on Brazilian imports set to take effect on August 1. Traders are scrambling to unload Brazilian coffee in the U.S. before the tariff is implemented, with some diverting vessels mid-journey and others sending stock from neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. U.S. coffee prices have already surged 70% last year due to production shortages, and the new tariff is expected to exacerbate this trend, leading to further price increases for consumers. Importers warn that the tariff represents a significant threat to their businesses, as they will bear the cost and pass it on to consumers. If the tariff remains, global coffee flows may shift, with U.S. buyers sourcing more beans from Africa and Central America instead. 
Published: Jul 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's goods trade deficit is expected to widen to USD 300 billion in FY26, up from USD 287 billion in FY25, primarily due to weak global demand impacting exports, according to ICICI Bank Global Markets. The report highlights that while exports to the US have remained robust, driven by front-loading, shipments to other markets have stagnated. In June, India's goods deficit narrowed to USD 18.8 billion, aided by a decrease in the non-oil non-gold deficit. However, overall exports contracted by 0.1% year-on-year, with oil exports declining significantly. Despite this, sectors like electronics and chemicals showed growth. The report warns that ongoing uncertainties regarding US trade policies could further affect global trade dynamics, although India has managed to maintain some export stability. The anticipated increase in imports, fueled by strong domestic consumption, is likely to exacerbate the trade deficit in the current fiscal year. 
Published: Jul 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe recent crash of Air India flight 171, which resulted in the deaths of 241 people, has reignited discussions within the aviation industry regarding the potential installation of cockpit video cameras to monitor pilot actions. Willie Walsh, head of the International Air Transport Association, advocates for such measures, arguing that video footage could provide crucial insights into pilot behavior, particularly in light of preliminary findings suggesting one pilot may have cut off fuel to the engines shortly after takeoff. While proponents believe video could enhance safety investigations, critics, including U.S. pilots' unions, express concerns over privacy and potential misuse of footage. They argue that existing voice and data recorders suffice for accident analysis. The debate reflects a broader tension between enhancing aviation safety and protecting pilot privacy, with experts divided on the necessity and implications of cockpit video technology. 
Published: Jul 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Indian government is currently refraining from formulating a backup plan for its industry in light of impending US tariffs, awaiting clarity on their full impact. Rajesh Agarwal, Commerce Special Secretary and chief negotiator for the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA), emphasized the need to assess the situation post-August 1, the new deadline for tariff imposition. As negotiations continue in Washington, Agarwal noted that the US has proposed new tariffs affecting around 25 countries, including the EU, but the specifics remain uncertain. Indian businesses are actively gathering insights from competitors and importers to navigate the evolving landscape. The BTA, agreed upon by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims for initial outcomes by Fall 2025. With the previous tariff deadline extended from July 9 to August 1, the potential for an interim deal to avert reciprocal tariffs remains to be seen. 
Published: Jul 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inDP World, the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), and Nevomo have entered into a groundbreaking agreement to establish a magnetic rail system for freight transport at Kandla port in Gujarat. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will assess the feasibility of implementing a pilot project utilizing Nevomo’s MagRail technology, which aims to automate short-haul cargo transfers and reduce diesel reliance. The initiative includes a 750-metre pilot project designed to demonstrate self-propelled freight movement within the port, enhancing capacity and efficiency for both containerized and bulk cargo while lowering costs and CO2 emissions. DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration in bolstering port infrastructure to meet rising cargo demands. DP World’s CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem highlighted the commitment to innovative technologies that enhance logistics sustainability and efficiency, positioning the project as a key driver of economic growth and trade competitiveness in India. 
Published: Jul 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inWorld trade in goods experienced a significant boost in the first quarter of 2025, with volumes rising 3.6% quarter-on-quarter and 5.3% year-on-year, surpassing the World Trade Organization's (WTO) earlier forecast of 2.7%. This surge was driven by anticipatory buying ahead of new US tariffs announced on April 2, prompting importers to accelerate purchases to avoid higher duties. North America led the way with a remarkable 13.4% increase in imports, while West Asia saw the highest export growth at 6.3%. However, WTO economists caution that this growth may not be sustainable, as fully stocked inventories and the impact of tariffs could dampen demand later in the year. Early indicators for the second quarter suggest a slowdown, with US imports rising only 1% in the initial months following a 25% increase in the first quarter. 
Published: Jul 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAir India, under the Tata Group, will gradually restore its international flight schedule starting August 1, 2025, following a "Safety Pause" initiated after the June 12 crash of Flight AI171. The airline had previously reduced operations to conduct safety checks on its Boeing 787 fleet and adapt to extended flight times due to airspace closures over Pakistan and parts of the Middle East. From August, Air India will partially resume several international routes, with a complete return to pre-pause schedules expected by October 1, 2025. Notable changes include a new thrice-weekly service from Ahmedabad to London Heathrow, replacing the current link to London Gatwick, and the full restoration of the Delhi–London Heathrow route to 24 weekly flights from July 16. However, some routes will continue to operate at reduced frequencies, and a few remain suspended through September. The airline will operate over 525 international flights weekly across 63 routes, offering affected passengers alternative arrangements or refunds. 
Published: Jul 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has confirmed that it has found no technical issues with Boeing aircraft, despite ongoing investigations into a June accident involving an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad. While regulators in India, South Korea, and Singapore have mandated inspections of fuel switches in Boeing fleets following a safety bulletin from the US Federal Aviation Administration, the UK CAA has opted not to impose any additional checks on UK operators, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which operate Boeing 787s. The CAA stated that it does not have any technical concerns regarding Boeing products and clarified that its recent safety notice, originally issued in 2015 and updated in May, was merely to revise a contact email address. The agency's reassurances come amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing aircraft safety following the preliminary investigation report into the Air India incident. 
Published: Jul 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's maize imports surged to a record 970,000 tonnes in the financial year 2024-25, a dramatic increase from 137,000 tonnes in 2023-24, marking the country as a net importer of the cereal. This shift is attributed to rising demand from livestock feed, starch, and ethanol sectors, despite domestic maize production reaching a record 42.28 million tonnes. Exports plummeted by 61% to 556,000 tonnes, down from 1.44 million tonnes the previous year, with export values dropping from $1.11 billion to just $201 million. The increase in imports exceeded trade estimates of 770,000 tonnes, driven by a government push for maize-based ethanol production amid drought concerns affecting sugarcane. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh noted the potential to double maize production to 86 million tonnes by 2047, as farmers expand maize acreage in response to growing demand. 
Published: Jul 15 2025, 8 pm
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