US President Donald Trump has spared BRICS member India from tariffs as they officially embraced the US dollar for trade. Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and ignited a global trade war. He also imposed 10% tariffs on China and could go further if they advance the de-dollarization agenda.

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However, BRICS member India has been spared from tariffs as they spoke positively about using the US dollar for cross-border transactions. India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar repeatedly said in multiple interviews that they do not support the de-dollarization initiative. He explained that India will settle trade in local currencies with other countries only when it fits the trade agreement.

Jaishankar also praised Trump and said that India has a good relationship with the new White House administration. “We’ve always said that India has never been for de-dollarization,” he said at various press conferences. He made it clear that India will work closely with the US and will use the dollar for payment settlements. The Minister also revealed that India is not working towards the formation of a new BRICS currency and will not support bringing the US dollar down.

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BRICS: India Plays It Safe By Supporting the US Dollar

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das also pitched in saying that India does not support de-dollarization. “Nobody is talking about or thinking about de-dollarization. There is no step we have taken to de-dollarize,” said Das to Bloomberg. “De-dollarization is certainly not our objective and is not on the table. BRICS currency was an idea raised by one of the members and was discussed but no decision has been taken.”

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All these statements made Trump spare BRICS member India as they fully support the US dollar’s prospects. India also needs the US dollar as its economy depends on America’s progress through Information Technology and other sectors. The US has invested heavily in India as backend offices and meddling with businesses could prove costly for the Modi government.