India-EU Trade Deal: Trump Tariffs Drive Historic Agreement
- Besides the diplomatic signalling, what's in it for the two sides?
- Closer trade ties with India are crucial to the European Union (EU) as of its growing economic stature.
- As von der Leyen said in her speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the EU bloc joining forces with India would create a free market of...
European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be chief guests at India’s Republic Day celebrations next Monday.
Besides state banquets and the ceremonial pomp of the event,the two leaders will have a more pressing item on their agenda – advancing free trade talks with Asia’s third largest economy. This comes at a particularly trying geopolitical moment for Europe, with President Donald Trump first threatening to escalate his trade war with European allies for opposing a US takeover of Greenland and then
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Besides the diplomatic signalling, what’s in it for the two sides?
Closer trade ties with India are crucial to the European Union (EU) as of its growing economic stature. India is the world’s fourth largest and fastest growing major economy and on track to cross $4tn (£2.97tn) in GDP, overtaking Japan this year.
As von der Leyen said in her speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the EU bloc joining forces with India would create a free market of two billion people, accounting for a quarter of global GDP.
For Delhi, the EU is already its largest trading bloc, and the deal will mark the restoration of what is called the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) – which remove import duties from products coming into the EU market from developing countries.
“india exported about $76bn of goods to the EU while importing $61bn, earning a trade surplus, but the withdrawal of EU GSP benefits in 2023 eroded competitiveness for many Indian products,” according to Ajay Srivastava of the Delhi-based Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).
“An FTA would restore lost market access, lower tariffs on key exports such as garments, pharmaceuticals, steel, petroleum products and machinery and help Indian firms better absorb“`html
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, established in 2012, continues to face legal challenges and political uncertainty as of January 24, 2026, despite remaining in affect and allowing eligible individuals to apply for renewable two-year periods of deferred action from deportation and work authorization. Recent court rulings and proposed rule changes have shaped the program’s current operational status, impacting hundreds of thousands of individuals.
what is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program?
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is a U.S. immigration policy first announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on June 15, 2012. It allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country before age 16 to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit.
The program was created in response to congressional gridlock regarding the Advancement, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. DACA was not a law passed by Congress, but rather a discretionary exercise of prosecutorial discretion by the Executive Branch.
Example: As of December 31,2023,approximately 582,000 individuals were approved for DACA,according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data.
Eligibility Requirements for DACA
To be eligible for DACA, individuals must meet several key criteria. These requirements have been consistently outlined by USCIS as the program’s inception.
- Must have come to the U.S. before age 16.
- Must be currently enrolled in, have graduated from, or have a certificate of completion from high school, or be currently enrolled in a GED program or have obtained a GED.
- Must have a clean criminal record. This includes not being convicted of a felony or a significant misdemeanor.
- Must not pose a security threat to the United States.
- Must have continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years prior to the date of their request.
Official Source: Detailed eligibility requirements are available on the USCIS DACA webpage.
Legal Challenges and Court Rulings
The DACA program has faced numerous legal challenges since its creation, primarily centered on the legality of the program’s implementation by the Obama administration. These challenges have led to fluctuating legal status and uncertainty for DACA recipients.
In 2017, the Trump administration attempted to rescind DACA, arguing that the program was unlawful. This decision was challenged in court,and the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in June 2020,in Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California, that the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA was unlawful.The Supreme Court’s decision found that the administration did not adequately explain its decision to rescind the program.
following the Supreme Court ruling, the Biden administration issued a memorandum directing DHS to preserve and fortify DACA. However, the program continued to face legal challenges, most notably in a July 2021 ruling by a Texas federal judge who found DACA unlawful. This ruling halted new DACA applications and limited renewals.
Breaking News Check (2026/01/24 05:17:53): As of January 24, 2026, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Texas judge’s ruling in September 2022, finding DACA unlawful. However,the court allowed current DACA recipients to continue renewing their status,and the Biden administration continues to appeal the decision. The Department of Justice provides updates on the ongoing litigation. A final Supreme Court review is anticipated in the coming months, with arguments scheduled for february 2026.