WHEN Rishi Sunak became prime minister, TV and radio programmes asked for my thoughts. In almost every interview, I said this was our Barak Obama moment, but Sunak would be seen through a different lens from any of his prime ministerial predecessors. He was the first person of colour in Britain’s top political post, and I said he’d be judged that way. Sunak, and his fellow south Asians and African colleagues, may not want to believe that. Polite white society definitely won’t believe that. But my lived experience tells a different story, and ultimately that is how hackademics, like me, often begin our hypotheses.
I was reminded of this when I watched MPs on the business select committee grill Mohsin Issa, the boss of Asda. To be clear, he didn’t do himself any favours. His team failed to prepare him properly. Issa came across as shifty, suspicious and stumbled his way through examination. The MPs came across as entitled, arrogant and had already made up their minds – Issa was guilty of profiteering during the cost of living crisis.
Mohsin Issa
In that 30-minute examination, they proved my theory that parliamentarians aren’t the best people to question industry leaders. You can be as cynical, coercing and calculating as you like from behind the power of parliament, but unless you have run a multi-million, never mind, multi-billion, pound empire, you have no right to criticise, sneer or decide whether someone is a crook. And they failed in an exchange where they asked Issa “did you target increased margins on fuel, yes or no?”
Issa looked askance, as if he couldn’t believe the stupidity of the question. He had to school MPs in simple business and economics, “It is not a one-word answer question, is it? If it was a fuel business, I could answer yes or no,” he said. Even then the light bulb failed to light in their rash, unintelligent and pompous heads. The MPs scented blood, and they continued their relentless bullying, and that’s when my respect, support and tolerance evaporated.
I’m a sole trader, and I am not in Issa’s league, further I’d be the first person to say I have a lot to learn. But one thing I do get is that prices are set by the market. I can only sell something at a price the consumer will pay. As academics De Toni et al., wrote in their peer reviewed 2016 paper, “Based on the innovation economy, it can be inferred that a higher level of competition in the market encourages companies to innovate; therefore, they do their best to increase their performance.” Tim Stobierski, writing for the Harvard Business Review, puts it in words a four-year-old should understand, “By increasing your customers’ willingness to pay for your products or services, you can raise your prices without reducing your customers’ excitement about purchasing. This enables you to boost revenue and enjoy a greater profit margin while driving customer satisfaction.” That’s why Issa banged on, quite rightly about how he is responsible for “a holistic strategy”, and that “the market controlled the margins.” The Asda boss couldn’t have been clearer when he said, “We set the price, and then others have an opportunity to undercut us.”
It got worse. One MP tried to prove that Issa was out of touch, and that he didn’t deserve his success because he didn’t understand how his customers were feeling. Issa’s response was spine-tingling. “I grew up in a two up, two down house, sir, and I go there every week to visit my family and friends,” he said. “My mum still lives in that same neighbourhood. I do understand the plight of these customers.”
The MP was outraged. “I think people will swallow that quite bitterly,” retorted Jonathan Gullis. “I accept, Mr Issa, that you come from a background where you can empathise and understand the people that all of us on this committee represent, but when they see the private jets and gas-guzzling cars, and when they see the money not being passed on in savings to consumers at the pump, they are rightly going to be angry, and I was very angry to be misled in the committee.”
Coming from a Tory MP, whose party worships capitalism and people who are successful, that sounded rich. Later that evening, the Labour chair, Darren Jones, took to social media and edited Issa’s comments, in my honestly held opinion, to make him look inept, shady and a latter day Peter Rachman. As I was watching, I grew more disappointed because the same question ran through my head. When will white people get that not all brown folk are crooks? Sometimes there isn’t a conspiracy. Sometimes we are victims of coincidence and happenstance.
History is written by the victor. I predict we will see Issa described as an unreliable witness who obfuscated and didn’t answer the committee’s questions. In reality, it is the committee, which lacked a basic understanding of business and innovation which was truly at fault. Lord help us from armchair critics who rely on the public purse for a living.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported a 10.7 per cent drop in sales for the April–June quarter, as a temporary pause in shipments to the United States and the phase-out of Jaguar’s legacy models weighed on volumes.
The company, owned by India’s Tata Motors, sold 87,286 units to dealers worldwide during the quarter, compared to 97,755 units in the same period last year.
Retail sales dropped 15.1 per cent in the three months to the end of June, JLR said in a statement on Monday. The company cited a halt in exports to the US in April as one of the main reasons behind the decline. The pause followed the imposition of a 25 per cent duty by President Donald Trump on all foreign-made vehicles sold in the US, one of JLR's key markets.
JLR does not manufacture cars in the US. Its Range Rover lineup is produced in Britain, subject to a 10 per cent levy, while its top-selling Defender SUVs are built in Slovakia, which falls under the higher 25 per cent tariff.
North America, which accounts for around one-third of JLR’s global sales, saw a 12.2 per cent drop in volumes in the first quarter. Jaguar’s luxury sedans, SUVs and sports cars saw a 72 per cent decline in sales, falling to 2,339 units, as part of a planned wind-down of legacy models. Jaguar is set to become a fully electric brand by 2026.
Excluding Jaguar’s performance, JLR’s overall sales declined by 5.1 per cent.
In the UK, Jaguar’s sales were also affected by the phase-out of older models in preparation for its electric vehicle line-up. According to automotive trade body SMMT, British car exports to the US dropped by over 50 per cent in May. However, a new trade agreement between the UK and US is expected to support future sales. The agreement reduces tariffs on UK car exports to 10 per cent from 27.5 per cent, up to an annual limit of 100,000 vehicles.
JLR is among the top car exporters from Britain and contributes about two-thirds of Tata Motors' revenue. Both JLR and Tata Motors are expected to announce their first-quarter earnings in August.
In June, JLR revised its forecast for earnings margin before interest and taxes for the fiscal year 2026 to 5–7 per cent, down from the earlier target of 10 per cent, citing global uncertainty triggered by US tariffs.
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Workers are engaged at their sewing stations in a garment factory in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, on April 9, 2025. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
BANGLADESH, the world's second-biggest garment manufacturer, aims to strike a trade deal with the US before Donald Trump's punishing tariffs kick in next week, said the country's top commerce official.
Dhaka is proposing to buy Boeing planes and boost imports of US wheat, cotton and oil in a bid to reduce the trade deficit, which Trump used as the reason for imposing painful levies in his "Liberation Day" announcement.
"We have finalised a draft reciprocal trade agreement," Mahbubur Rahman said on Wednesday (3), adding the government was "hopeful of reaching a win-win agreement".
Rahman said a meeting between officials from both countries was slated for July 8, with the US representing 20 per cent of Bangladesh's ready-made garments exports.
Textile and garment production accounts for about 80 per cent of exports in Bangladesh and the industry has been rebuilding after it was hit hard in a student-led revolution that toppled the government last year.
Trump hit Bangladesh with 37 per cent tariffs in his April 2 announcement, which is more than double the 16 per cent already placed on cotton products.
He suspended the tolls' introduction until July 9, as he did with other global trading partners, though a baseline 10 per cent levy was kept in place.
Bangladesh exported $8.36 billion worth of goods to the US in 2024, while imports from there amounted to $2.21bn, according to the Bangladesh Bank and the National Board of Revenue.
"As part of the initiative to reduce the trade gap, the government already decided to import a large volume of wheat, purchasing 14 aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing, buying cotton and more oil and gas from the US farms," Rahman said.
He did not give further details on the exact timing or extent of the proposed deals, but said the government had held around 28 meetings and document exchanges in a bid to reach an agreement.
Interim leader Muhammed Yunus spoke to US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Monday (30) and told him Dhaka was "working with your officials to finalise a package of measures to effectively respond to president Trump's trade agenda".
Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the national platform of the garment makers, expressed concerns about any deal.
"The already enacted additional 10 per cent tariff is hitting our exporters, and if it goes further, we might lose US buyers," he warned.
But Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said he was optimistic.
"We are hopeful of a positive outcome on the US tariff before July 9," he said.
"There will be a temporary problem if the US administration does not revise the tariff. But it will largely and ultimately hit the US buyers, as they would have to buy goods at higher prices."
(AFP)
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The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London.
THE COST of UK government borrowing fell on Thursday, partially reversing the rise seen after Chancellor Rachel Reeves became emotional during Prime Minister’s Questions.
The yield on 10-year government bonds dropped to 4.55 per cent, down from 4.61 per cent the previous day. The pound also recovered slightly to $1.3668 (around £1.00), though it did not regain all its earlier losses.
The movement followed comments from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who told BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking with Nick Robinson that he worked “in lockstep” with Reeves and said she was “doing an excellent job as chancellor.”
Analysts told the BBC that markets appeared to back Reeves, with concerns that her departure could lead to a weakening of fiscal discipline. “It looks to me like this is a rare example of financial markets actually enhancing the career prospects of a politician,” said Will Walker Arnott of Charles Stanley. “If the chancellor goes then any fiscal discipline would follow her out the door and that would mean bigger deficits.”
Mohamed El-Erian of Allianz warned that risk premiums may persist. “I suspect that we will see some moderation, but we will not go back to where we were 24 hours ago,” he said.
Reeves, who became tearful during PMQs after a U-turn on planned welfare reforms that left a £5bn gap in her financial plans, said on Thursday she had been upset due to a personal issue. A Treasury spokesperson also confirmed it was a personal matter.
Reeves told the BBC that the welfare changes would be reflected in the Budget and reaffirmed her commitment to fiscal rules. Jane Foley of Rabobank said Reeves now faces difficult choices but added, “investors do place a lot of store in political stability.”
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Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE US could reach a trade deal with India that would help American companies compete more easily in the Indian market and reduce tariff rates, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. However, he cast doubt on a similar deal with Japan.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he believed India was ready to lower trade barriers, potentially paving the way for an agreement that would avoid the 26 per cent tariff rate he had announced on April 2 and paused until July 9.
“Right now, India doesn’t accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, if they do that, we’re going to have a deal for less, much less tariffs,” he said.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also indicated that a deal with India was close. “We are very close with India,” Bessent told Fox News, saying it could help lower tariffs on US imports and prevent a sharp rise in levies.
Indian officials extended their Washington visit through Monday to try to reach an agreement with the Trump administration and resolve remaining concerns, Indian government sources told Reuters.
A White House official familiar with the talks said the Trump administration was prioritising trade negotiations with countries including India over Japan in the lead-up to the July 9 deadline.
Tariff deadline nears
India is among several countries negotiating with the US to avoid a steep tariff increase when the current 90-day pause ends. Without an agreement, India’s reciprocal tariff rate could rise to 27 per cent from the existing 10 per cent.
Talks between the US and India have faced hurdles over differences on import duties for auto components, steel, and agricultural goods.
“We are in the middle — hopefully more than the middle — of a very intricate trade negotiation,” Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at an event in New York on Monday.
“Obviously, my hope would be that we bring it to a successful conclusion. I cannot guarantee it, because there’s another party to that discussion,” Jaishankar said. He added that there “will have to be give and take” and both sides needed to find common ground.
Exporters in India are cautiously hopeful that a deal could be reached before the deadline. Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, told AFP that exporters were “optimistic” about a possible bilateral agreement. He said it remained “quite a fluid situation” and added, “The feedback which I am getting suggests positive developments either way — and we are hopeful.”
Exporters express concern
Some of India’s major exports such as electronics, gems, jewellery, and shrimp could be impacted by higher tariffs. India recorded a trade surplus of $45.7 billion with the United States last year.
KN Raghavan, Secretary General of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, said the industry was seeing “some amount of anxiety” but also had “more reason for hope.” He said a solution “appears to be in the anvil,” without giving further details.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had also said last month that a pact could be expected in the “not too distant future.” Trump echoed that sentiment on Tuesday, calling it “a different kind of a deal.”
“It’s going to be a deal where we’re able to go in and compete,” Trump said. “Right now, India doesn’t accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we’re going to have a deal for much less tariffs.”
Key sticking points
An Indian commerce ministry official told AFP that New Delhi was still pushing for relief from separate tariffs on steel and aluminium and greater access for exports such as textiles and footwear.
Disagreements also remain over US efforts to open up India’s agriculture sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Financial Express that she was eager for a deal. “I’d love to have an agreement, a big, good, beautiful one; why not?” she said in an interview published Monday.
However, she noted that “agriculture and dairy” were “very big red lines” for India.
Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative said in a recent note that a smaller agreement was more likely. He suggested India could cut tariffs on certain industrial goods and allow limited access for US agricultural produce in exchange for the US dropping the 26 per cent tariff.
Srivastava also warned that talks “may collapse” if Washington continues pressing India to open its core agriculture sectors or allow genetically modified products.
Raghavan said that if tariffs rise beyond 25 per cent, US buyers may turn to other sources. “Currently, exporters believe they can manage with a 10 per cent tariff, as it can be absorbed. But if it goes back up to 25 per cent to 30 per cent levels, we could see American buyers finding alternative sources,” he said.
Trump casts doubt on Japan deal
While optimism remains on the India front, Trump expressed scepticism about reaching a trade deal with Japan. Bessent told Fox News that different countries had different priorities in the talks.
Trump said he was unlikely to extend the July 9 deadline and would proceed by sending letters notifying countries of the tariff rates they would face.
“We’ve dealt with Japan. I’m not sure we’re going to make a deal. I doubt it,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.
He suggested Japan could face tariffs of 30 per cent or 35 per cent on imports — well above the 24 per cent rate announced on April 2, which was paused until July 9.
Trump criticised Japan for refusing to accept US-grown rice while exporting millions of cars to the US. “So what I’m going to do, is I’ll write them a letter saying we thank you very much, and we know you can’t do the kind of things that we need, and therefore you pay a 30 per cent, 35 per cent or whatever the numbers that we determine,” he said.
So far, only the UK has reached a limited trade deal with the Trump administration, agreeing to a 10 per cent tariff on many goods, including autos, in exchange for special access for aircraft engines and British beef.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Customers shop for 'Kolhapuri' sandals, an Indian ethnic footwear, at a store in New Delhi, India, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
INDIAN footwear sellers and artisans are tapping into nationalist pride stoked by the Prada 'sandal scandal' in a bid to boost sales of ethnic slippers with history dating back to the 12th century, raising hopes of reviving a struggling craft.
Sales are surging over the past week for the 'Kolhapuri' sandals that have garnered global attention after Prada sparked a controversy by showcasing similar designs in Milan, without initially crediting the footwear's origins.
After viral photos from a fashion show drew criticism from Indian artisans who make the sandals - named after a historic city in Maharashtra state - Prada was forced to acknowledge that its new open-toe footwear was inspired by ancient Indian designs.
"Prada 0: Kolhapur 1," said an Instagram post by e-commerce website Shopkop, whose founder Rahul Parasu Kamble's open letter to Prada pointing out the footwear is "soaked in tradition" was reshared 36,000 times on social media.
"I saw the controversy as a way to promote Kolhapuri," said Kamble, 33, who has seen sales of sandals he sources from local artisans touch 50,000 rupees ($584) in three days, five times the average.
Social media has been abuzz in recent days with criticism and sarcastic memes, with politicians, artisans and a trade body demanding due credit to Indian heritage.
Prada has said it will arrange follow-up meetings with artisans. In a statement on Tuesday (1), it added the Italian group intends to make the sandals in India in collaboration with local manufacturers, if it commercialises them.
India's luxury market is small but growing, with the rich splurging on Lamborghini cars and pricey watches. Prada does not have a single retail store in India and its products are usually reserved for the super rich - its men's leather sandals start retailing at $844 (£667), while Kolhapuris can be priced as low as $12 (£8.92).
But linking of the Prada name to the Kolhapuri sandals, which are made by around 7,000 artisans, is providing a business opportunity for some.
Mumbai-based Ira Soles is running new Facebook and Instagram advertisements which proclaim its $32 (£24) "Tan Handcrafted Kolhapuris just walked the ramp at Prada ... Limited stock. Global spotlight. Own a piece of what the world is applauding.".
E-commerce website Niira is offering up to 50 per cent discounts on its Kolhapuri slippers it says are "rooted in tradition". Its sales of $18 (£13.5) sandals, that looked like the one Prada showcased in Milan, have tripled, founder Nishant Raut said.
"Why can't an Indian Kolhapuri brand become as big as a Birkenstock," he said.
Handmade in small factories, Kolhapuri sandals, or chappals as they are called in Hindi, are often paired with Indian attire. Similar designs are sold in big outlets of Bata India and Metro Brands, and also on Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart.
In 2021, India's government said the sandals could achieve $1 billion (£728m) a year in exports. Though latest estimates are not available, artisans say the business has struggled as consumers increasingly opt for more fashionable, upmarket footwear.
Still, the Prada controversy is breathing new life into a craft that Lalit Gandhi, president of Maharashtra's main industry lobby group, says is "a dying art". Gandhi said he is in talks with Prada to develop a co-branded, limited-edition sandal.
Kolhapur craftsmen Ashok Doiphode, 50, is pinning hopes on a Prada boost. He hand-stitches sandals for nine hours daily but can sell a pair for just Rs 400 (£3.5)
"If big companies like Prada come, craftsman like me can get a good price."