Trade pact with US best solution

Refer to ‘India’s strategy to win trade war’; Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are a disruptive and unfair trade practice. It is quite unlikely that such a system will be acceptable to any nation. India cannot afford to grant tariff concessions on farm products. Indian agriculture is not ready for the shock of cheaper imports. Whatever concessions India makes to dodge Trump’s tariffs, can only buy some time, but it won’t make the Indian agriculture competitive. India should remain fully focused on pushing through the bilateral trade agreement with the US. New Delhi should also finalise trade agreements with the EU and the UK.

SK SINGH, by mail

Trump prioritising business

Refer to ‘Tariff bloodbath’; Indian investors lost massively in the global market slump. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy did not go down well with investors. Trump is a hard nut to crack as he rubbishes the claim that there is inflation and says that oil and food prices are down. This is the beginning of a tariff war as China has imposed retaliatory tariffs on the US. The reciprocal tariff policy is a double-edged sword for America as experts believe that it could cost the average American household $4,200 annually. The US has witnessed protests by its citizens against the reciprocal tariff policy. Trump seems to be prioritising business. It is a moot point whether Trump will budge and other nations will toe America’s line or hit back like China.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur

Prefer talks to confrontation

Apropos of ‘Tariff bloodbath’; choosing negotiations over confrontation is the logical way out to assuage defiant Trump’s panic tariff onslaught. He is desperate to balance trade deficit — this is easier said than done. Global trade wars are best fought by big export houses but many retail investors learnt it the hard way as the benchmark indices faced an abrupt drubbing. In an interdependent world order, Trump’s whimsical unilateralism is bound to boomerang sooner than later.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Trump harming US interests

Refer to ‘Tariff bloodbath’; Donald Trump’s conduct has put a big question mark over the presidential form of government. He has triggered a world trade war. China, members of the European Union and other nations will choose to confront and retaliate as per their respective economic strengths. Recession will be entirely the making of Trump, who contrary to his slogan of Make America Great Again, will make the US citizens pay more for many of their necessities due to scarcity of supply and consequent higher prices. The US, like many other nations, imports most goods not manufactured in the country. Besides, the number of jobless in the US may also swell.

Hira Sharma, by mail

Substitutes not safe either

With reference to ‘Plastic in every sip: The toxic truth about bottled water’; another critical aspect that needs urgent attention is the misleading assurance of ‘BPA-free’ labels on plastic bottles. Many consumers take comfort in seeing ‘BPA-free’ written on water bottles, unaware that manufacturers often replace Bisphenol A with Bisphenol S (BPS) or Bisphenol F (BPF). These substitutes are not safe either. BPF contains formaldehyde, an established carcinogen, while BPS, a sulfonyl-based compound, is chemically similar to BPA and poses comparable risks to hormonal and cellular health. By substituting one toxic chemical with another under the guise of safety, the industry continues to jeopardise public health.

Harsh Pawaria, Rohtak

Comprehensive reforms

Apropos of ‘Real lessons needed’; a comprehensive reform is needed to push the education sector ahead in Punjab. Firstly, a work-oriented vocational system based on skill learning should be adopted to ensure self-employment with a special focus on rural areas. Steps like an updated curriculum for teacher training, more educational scholarships and other research grants, and career counselling can help in improving the standard of education. Upgrading school infrastructure, e-libraries and adopting sports culture are also of paramount importance.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Letters to the Editor