Rare earth, tariffs and geopolitics: Centre walks tightrope on trade deal

Supply-chain disruptions related to rare earth magnets from China are another cause of geopolitical anxiety for the government at this point

The celebration of 11 years of the Narendra Modi government comes against the backdrop of fast-moving developments in geopolitics. For instance, talks to arrive at an early trade pact with the United States (US) top the to-do list of the government at this point, according to sources in the know. 

Reflecting the unpredictability of the course of the talks, a top government source hinted that the Indian side was keeping fingers crossed, hoping that negotiations with the US would see a positive outcome by the July 9 deadline. If there is no trade deal by then, the 26 per cent