Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Worsening trade with India hurts California Almond growers: Senator

A TOP US Senator has slammed president Donald Trump for "damaging" trade ties with India, saying his actions are hurting California almond growers who export more than $650 million worth of nuts to the country every year.

California senator Dianne Feinstein's criticism of the US president came days after India announced a hike in customs duties on as many as 28 US products, including almond, pulses and walnut, in response to higher tariffs imposed by Washington on Indian products like steel and aluminium.


"India just placed a 75 per cent tariff on almonds in response to president Trump's trade war. His actions are hurting Californians.

"California almond exports to India are worth more than $650m a year. The president must stop damaging trade relations with our allies," Senator Feinstein said.

Almond growers in the US are a worried lot as authorities last month predicted a record California almond crop for the upcoming production year.

According to the Almond alliance of California, its almond export is being badly hit by retaliatory tariffs from both China and India.

California almond orchards are expected to produce 2.50 billion pounds of nuts this year, up 8.69 per cent from last year's 2.30 billion-pound crop, it said.

The Indian move is also seen in retaliation to Trump's decision terminating India's designation as a beneficiary developing nation under the key GSP trade programme after determining that it has not assured the US that it will provide "equitable and reasonable access to its markets".

The suspension became effective June 5. India's retaliatory tariffs came into effect Sunday.

Apple and almond are some of the other American agricultural products to be impacted by India's retaliatory tariffs.

The move will hurt American exporters of these 28 items as they will have to pay higher duties, making those items costlier in the Indian market.

Earlier, the list included 29 goods but India has removed artemia, a kind of shrimp, from the list.

The country would get about $217m additional revenue from such imports.

America had in March last year imposed 25 per cent tariff on steel and a 10 per cent import duty on aluminium products. Earlier, there was no duty on these goods.      India's exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at $47.9 billion, while imports were at $26.7bn.

The trade balance is in favour of India.

(PTI)

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

‘Harry Potter’ filming in London sparks anger as locals claim no consent for Privet Drive remake

Highlights:

  • A London street has been turned into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series
  • Locals in Upminster say they were not told filming was for the HBO remake
  • Some residents fear being “bombarded with wizards” while others are thrilled
  • Cast includes Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

A quiet street in east London has been transformed into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series, but locals are unhappy they were not properly informed about the filming. Springfield Gardens in Upminster, chosen to double as the boy wizard’s childhood home, has left neighbours divided, with some welcoming the attention while others worry they will be “bombarded with wizards.” The HBO production, part of a major reboot, has already brought cameras, drones and fans to the area.

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout Instagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif

Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain

Instagram/priyankachopra

Farhan Akhtar says ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ will happen but drops bombshell that Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif may exit

Highlights:

  • Farhan Akhtar says Jee Le Zaraa has been delayed but not shelved
  • Significant work including music and location scouting already completed
  • Director cannot confirm if Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif remain attached
  • Project first announced in 2021 as a female-led road trip film

Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar has clarified that his highly anticipated film Jee Le Zaraa has not been shelved. Speaking about the much-discussed project, Akhtar said the film is simply “on the back burner” due to scheduling conflicts. The clarification comes after years of speculation that the all-female road trip film, originally announced with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, might have been abandoned.

Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain Instagram/priyankachopra

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less