The Hindu: The US-Canada dispute is a warning for India
The editorial board of The Hindu International called the tariff dispute between the United States and Canada a warning for India during negotiations on possible trade arrangements with the United States. According to the publication, India should not expect special treatment from the US, even if an agreement is concluded.
The US-Canada tariff dispute
As the editorial board notes, the economies of the US and Canada have been closely integrated since at least 1965, when the countries introduced free trade in automobiles and components. In 1989, cooperation was expanded into a free trade agreement, and about five years later it was supplemented by the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Citing Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, the publication writes that Canada accounts for 70% of the oil refined in the US Midwest, as well as 60% of aluminum supplies to the country. Canada also supplies nearly all types of lumber used in residential construction in the US.
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At the same time, Canada withdrew from negotiations on a new tariff agreement, citing last-minute changes made by the American side. The US, according to The Hindu, made a similar claim regarding Canada. Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on American goods after the United States introduced 50% tariffs on imports from Canada. The publication also reported that from September 29, the US is to ban imports of certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, some dairy products, and motorcycles.
The editorial board's conclusions for India
The Hindu believes that a trade agreement with the US will not necessarily mean the end of tariff pressure. The publication also mentioned Malaysia, which withdrew from an arrangement concluded with the US. According to the editorial board's account, Malaysia argued that after the American system of reciprocal tariffs was recognized as illegal, the benefits of the agreement no longer outweighed the costs of opening its market to the US.
The editorial board recalled that in February 2026, India agreed to 18% tariffs on imports from the country to the US. At the same time, the United States continued investigations into forced labor and excess capacity, which, in the publication's view, could raise tariffs above that level. The Hindu approved of India's position not to conclude an agreement until its advantage over competitors is evident.
