New Delhi: With US President Donald Trump revving up the tariff struggle, German luxurious carmakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz in India on Thursday known as for extra free commerce primarily based on low tariffs and decreased commerce limitations, saying it will likely be a win-win state of affairs for all. As a part of reciprocal tariffs on about 60 nations to counter increased duties on American merchandise imposed globally, the US on Wednesday introduced 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India saying New Delhi imposes excessive import duties on American items.

Nonetheless, autos and auto components in addition to metal and aluminium articles, already topic to Part 232 tariffs at 25 per cent, introduced earlier in US President Donald Trump’s order on March 26, 2025, are usually not lined within the newest order.

“We at all times subscribe and we at all times suggest that there needs to be extra free commerce agreements with the nations. Completely, that is the best approach to go, as a result of that manner everyone wins, new applied sciences can come into the nation. For instance, India can entry markets. In order that’s a win-win state of affairs,” BMW Group India President & CEO Vikram Pawah stated.

He was responding to a question on whether or not India must decrease its tariffs on imported vehicles. “So long as we’re headed in direction of free commerce agreements with a lot of the nations of the world, then I feel it can actually profit. It is extra about free commerce agreements. The bilateral agreements are what matter ultimately,” Pawah famous.

Referring to the India-EU free commerce negotiations, he stated, “There’s good dialogue occurring there as effectively. If these items occur, that may profit everybody.” 

Expressing comparable views, Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO Santosh Iyer stated, “We consider that open and fair-trade insurance policies are important for fostering international financial development and driving innovation.” Free commerce, primarily based on low tariffs and decreased commerce limitations, has considerably elevated worldwide commerce and improvement, benefiting economies and communities worldwide, he added.

Iyer additional stated, “There needs to be joint cooperation amongst bigger economies to scale back commerce limitations, fostering greater financial development for all gamers.

“We stay dedicated to working with stakeholders to advocate for balanced commerce insurance policies that help financial stability and enterprise development.” 

India at present imposes efficient duties starting from 70 per cent to 100 per cent on new fully-imported vehicles, relying on gasoline and engine kind, and CIF (value, insurance coverage, and freight) worth above or under USD 40,000.