Trump’s trade tactics

This refers to ‘Trump’s shock and awe’ tactic (March 17). When Trump initiated the ‘America First’ policy, the primary objective was to curtail imports into the US, thereby reducing the trade deficit. Several measures, such as imposing reciprocal tariffs, are in the pipeline to ensure that countries facing high tariffs take steps to strengthen their respective currencies. A stronger foreign currency would, in turn, weaken the US dollar, making American exports more competitive.

However, the strength of the US dollar is driven by external factors such as its dominant role as an invoicing currency, the high global demand for US Treasury securities, the dollar’s prevalence in foreign reserves, and the increasing use of economic sanctions. These factors could counteract efforts to weaken the dollar.

Srinivasan Velamur

Chennai

Impact of Starlink

Satellite broadband is expensive and not a direct substitute for fibre or mobile networks. How much penetration Starlink would be able to make into the Indian market is a million dollar question. Starlink serves 125 markets, but China is not one of them as it wants to develop its own capacity through satellite mega-projects. Why can’t India think on similar lines, and Airtel and Jio develop similar capacities. And why did the government not bring BSNL into play along with Jio and Airtel to break the duopoly and strengthen its own telecom company?

Bal Govind

Noida

Railways’ focus

Railway safety is a much talked about subject only when accidents take place. The present agenda of the Indian Railways is to introduce high cost trains to cater to the richer sections. And after reaching a reasonable capacity in terms of tracks, routes and coaches, these may be hived off to private players, who will then go on to make big money. How many high cost services like Vande Bharath and how many trains for the poor have been introduced need to to be analysed.

AG Rajmohan

Anantapur, AP

Enrolment in EPFO

That the additional net enrolment in India’s EPFO under 21 years of age is negative in States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat came as a surprise. Perpetual creation of productive jobs for the youth is sine qua non for the nation’s growth. EPF, of course, safeguards the future of the workforce. The Centre and States have to ensure that all organisations follow EPFO rules and workers are not exploited.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Chennai

Spare farm produce

Apropos ‘Proposed India-US trade pact must not go beyond tariffs, say experts’ (March 17). Through US’ arm-twisting tactics of unilateral tariff hikes, there could be a demand to make India agree on import of farm produce. In view of the fragile Indian farm ecosystem, negotiators must ensure that the welfare of farmers are not compromised.

Rajiv Magal

Halekere Village, Karnataka

Published on March 17, 2025