Decline in US exports

With reference to ‘Trump’s tariff spree’; in global trade, taxes are a means to reduce imports from other countries and promote indigenous production of goods and services. Countries grow rich by producing and selling value-added goods and services. Exports hold the key to a country’s riches. The US has been exporting high-technology goods and liberally importing low-end consumer goods for a long period. It could not sell high-tech goods, like arms and ammunitions, due to the development of indigenous technology in countries like India, Brazil and South Africa. This led to the US debt touching an astronomically high figure of $33 trillion in 2022. With production facilities increasing in Third-World countries, the sale of US-made products has fallen considerably.

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Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar

Trade wars will affect India

Refer to ‘Trump’s tariff spree’; for now, India has escaped Trump’s tariff abuse, but for how long? In a pre-emptive move, India has reduced import duty on top 30 US goods, ranging from crude oil to Harley-Davidson motorcycles. However, the global trade war may impact foreign investment in India. It will also affect the rupee’s performance. PM Modi’s imminent visit to the US is likely to open a bilateral trade window. If Chinese goods become more expensive as a result of rising tariffs, Indian exporters may find new opportunities in the US market, particularly in the fields of textiles, electronics and automobile parts.

Abhijit Roy, Jamshedpur

Tit-for-tat policy for China

With reference to ‘Two Chinese vessels in Arabian Sea, India keeps a close watch’; India needs to do more than just being vigilant. The Chinese domination of various ports — Gwadar in Pakistan, Chabahar in Iran and Hambantota in Sri Lanka — poses a serious threat to India. It gives an edge to China in the Arabian Sea. The answer lies in strengthening our Andaman & Nicobar Command and carrying out surveys like China in the Malacca Straits, which is crucial for Chinese imports. ‘Tit for tat’ is a time-tested military riposte. The need for creating a maritime theatre command has never been felt so acutely. The Indian Navy should be made capable of posing a serious threat to the Chinese PLA Navy.

Lt Col GS Bedi (retd), Mohali

The truth must come out

Apropos of ‘Ram bharose at the Kumbh (The Great Game); the writer stopped short of asking questions to the double-engine government of Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath for the confusion, chaos and mismanagement that led to the stampede. The actual death toll has not been revealed till date. It is distressing to see The Tribune stray from the path shown by its founder, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia. Journalists must strive to dig out the truth, not brush it under the carpet.

PK Sharma, Barnala

AAP on the back foot

Apropos of ‘Battleground Delhi’, each party is trying to paint the other in the darkest shade. Despite anti-incumbency and grave corruption charges against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Congress has not been able to revive its fortunes. The BJP made AAP’s task tougher by creating a controversy wherever it sensed any loophole. Kejriwal’s once-spotless image has been dented by charges of corruption and extravagance, and a picture of failure was projected by the BJP. AAP and the BJP are locked in a fierce contest, with the Congress sitting on the fence. Politicians have turned into bitter enemies instead of remaining just political adversaries.

Ramesh Gupta, Narwana

More funds for the Army

Refer to ‘Defence budget grows, but combat deficiencies persist’; any country should have a judicious mix of military hardware of vintage origin and state-of-the-art technology. Modern-day weapons are required to fight and win a war in the 21st century. India, an aspiring superpower aiming to achieve a place among the elite armies of the world, would be required to modernise its armed forces. This is not possible without due budgetary support.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh