The tariff reduction, confirmed by US President Donald Trump following talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, effectively withdraws additional duties that had pushed levies on some Indian exports as high as 50 per cent.
Finalized in mid-2025 after extensive talks between Pakistan’s SIFC and US agencies, the deal supports Washington’s strategy to diversify critical mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on China.
The UN appeal comes at a moment when humanitarian funding is already stretched by multiple crises. While CERF has provided rapid support, broader donor commitments remain insufficient relative to the scale of projected need.
South Asia’s lead crisis is not inevitable. Experience elsewhere demonstrates that decisive regulation, industrial formalisation and community-level interventions can sharply reduce exposure.
The UN appeal comes at a moment when humanitarian funding is already stretched by multiple crises. While CERF has provided rapid support, broader donor commitments remain insufficient relative to the scale of projected need.