Indian farmers to protest over trade pressure

Summary

Marketplace Morning Report – Episode Summary Title: Indian Farmers to Protest Over Trade Pressure
Host: Marketplace
Release Date: August 5, 2025

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1. Indian Farmers' Nationwide Protest

Overview: The episode opens with a significant focus on the escalating tensions between Indian farmers and U.S. trade policies. Indian farmers are mobilizing for a nationwide protest scheduled for August 13 in response to newly imposed U.S. tariffs.

Key Points:

• Tariff Implementation: The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports, targeting key agricultural exports. This move has stirred considerable unrest among India’s farming community.

• Organizers: The protest is spearheaded by Samyukt Kisan Morcha, India's largest farmers' union, along with 10 central trade unions. Their unified stance emphasizes the protection of local agriculture against foreign competition.

Notable Quotes:

• Davina Gupta [01:40]: “India's agriculture sector is massive. There are tens of millions of small farmers who are employed here. And these farmers are saying that if you allow US goods to come in at lower tariffs, then it is our livelihoods that are at stake.”

2. Trade Negotiations and Economic Implications

Overview: The conflict arises amidst ongoing negotiations for a broader bilateral trade agreement between India and the U.S. The U.S. is pressing for greater access to India's robust agriculture sector.

Key Points:

• Genetically Modified Foods: India has maintained high tariffs to protect its stance against genetically modified (GM) foods from the U.S., reflecting concerns over food sovereignty and domestic agricultural practices.

• Economic Stake: Protecting the agricultural sector is deemed crucial for India’s economy, given the reliance on millions of small-scale farmers.

Notable Quotes:

• Davina Gupta [02:58]: “Trump is saying he's actually gonna put more tariffs on India because they haven't reached a trade deal.”

3. U.S. Response and Escalation of Tariffs

Overview: The U.S. response to India's resistance in trade negotiations has been to threaten further economic measures, indicating a potential escalation in trade tensions.

Key Points:

• Additional Tariffs: U.S. President Donald Trump has declared intentions to impose more tariffs on Indian goods, citing India's continued purchase of oil from Russia as a point of contention.

• Impact on Currency: The tariff imposition has adversely affected the Indian rupee, bringing it down to a near-record low of 87.88 against the dollar. However, a weaker rupee may paradoxically make Indian exports more competitive internationally.

Notable Quotes:

• Davina Gupta [03:06]: “The US President Donald Trump is saying he's going to impose an additional round of levies and this is because India is purchasing oil from Russia.”

4. Global Plastic Pollution and Treaty Negotiations

Overview: Shifting focus from trade to environmental issues, the report highlights the ongoing efforts to address global plastic pollution through international treaties.

Key Points:

• International Efforts: Delegates from over 170 countries are convening in Geneva to negotiate a legally binding global plastics treaty. The treaty aims to limit plastic production and single-use plastics.

• Opposition from Petro States: Some oil-producing nations oppose production limits, advocating instead for end-of-life solutions like improved recycling processes.

• U.S. Stance: With the U.S. withdrawing from international environmental commitments under President Trump, there is growing concern about the feasibility of reaching a consensus.

Notable Quotes:

• Esme Stallard [04:27]: “Nearly 100 countries are seeking a treaty which would include measures to limit plastic production and single-use plastics.”

5. Ocean Cleanup Initiatives by Boyan Slat

Overview: The episode features an interview with Boyan Slat, a renowned social entrepreneur committed to combating ocean plastic pollution through innovative cleanup projects.

Key Points:

• Expansion Plans: Slat's nonprofit, The Ocean Cleanup, is scaling its operations from Los Angeles and the Pacific to 30 additional coastal cities. The goal is to intercept plastic before it reaches the ocean via approximately 200-300 rivers.

• Funding Strategy: The initiative relies on a mix of donations, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic support. Initial funding for the 30-city expansion has been secured, with efforts ongoing to gather the necessary $350 million over five years.

• Corporate Partnerships: Slat emphasizes the importance of involving companies that have historically benefited from inexpensive plastic production, advocating for their role in funding cleanup efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• Boyan Slat [05:16]: “Those are the waterways that carry most plastic pollution to the oceans. And those are the ones we're tackling.”

• Boyan Slat [07:17]: “If anyone should be part of paying the cost of dealing with these issues, I think it's the companies that have benefited from being able to use this material cheaply.”

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6. Economic and Environmental Intersections

Overview: The episode underscores the intricate linkages between economic policies and environmental challenges, illustrating how trade decisions and environmental initiatives can have far-reaching impacts.

Key Points:

• Currency and Trade Dynamics: The fluctuating value of the Indian rupee exemplifies the broader economic repercussions of international trade policies.

• Sustainability Efforts: Efforts to mitigate plastic pollution through global treaties and ground-level cleanup operations highlight the multifaceted approach required to address environmental crises.

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Conclusion

The Marketplace Morning Report episode delves into pressing global issues, from the economic strain on Indian farmers due to U.S. tariffs to the international community's struggle to address plastic pollution. Through insightful interviews and detailed analyses, the report sheds light on the complexities of international trade negotiations and environmental conservation efforts, emphasizing the need for collaborative solutions in an interconnected world.

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Notable Contributors:

• Liana Byrne: Host, Marketplace Morning Report
• Davina Gupta: BBC Correspondent in Delhi
• Esme Stallard: BBC Environmental Correspondent
• Boyan Slat: Founder, The Ocean Cleanup

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This summary aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the podcast episode for listeners who seek to stay informed on critical economic and environmental developments impacting the global landscape.

Transcript

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[Liana Byrne]

US tariffs spark fury for India's Farmers hello, this is the Marketplace Morning Report and we're live from the BBC World Service. I'm Liana Byrne. Good morning. So farmers in India are gearing up for a nationwide protest next week in response to the 25% tariffs the US has slapped on Indian imports. The duties were announced just days ago and India's biggest exports, especially agriculture, are under pressure. The BBC's Davina Gupta is in Delhi for us. Hi Davina.

[Davina Gupta]

Hey Liana, how are you?

[Liana Byrne]

So farmers in India have called for a nationwide day of protest on August 13. Davina, what are we expecting from those protests?

[Davina Gupta]

Well, we expecting that one of India's biggest farmers union, which is Samyukt Kisan Morcha, they would be protesting along with 10 central trade unions and they are just putting their voice for local is what they've said. And this is all coming in the backdrop of a trade deal that India is negotiating with the U.S. now, this is a larger bilateral trade agreement where the US has been asking India for access to its agriculture sector. And India's agriculture sector is massive. There are tens of millions of small farmers who are employed here. And these farmers are saying that if you allow US Goods to come in at lower tariffs, then it is our livelihoods that are at stake. India has been opposed to genetically modified foods from the us. It has kept its dairy sector also close to imported goods and has kept its own farming sector's tariffs quite high to protect these domestic farmers. But as these negotiations go on and there's pressure from the US For India to concede ground when it comes to its agriculture sector. These farmers are coming together with traders union to say that it is one sacrosanct area, so to speak, for India's economy that should, should not be touched.

[Liana Byrne]

But it seems like India isn't budging because Trump is saying he's actually gonna put more tariffs on India because they haven't reached a trade deal.

[Davina Gupta]

That's right. And that shows the sign of frustration that the US President Donald Trump is having because just last week after the deadline expired where he had put Liberation Day tariffs, India is seeing a hike of 25% of its goods going to the U.S. now, what the U.S. president is saying is that he's going to impose an additional round of levies and this is because India is purchasing oil from Russia.

[Liana Byrne]

The BBC's Davina Gupta, thank you so much for joining us on Marketplace.

[Davina Gupta]

Thank you.

[Liana Byrne]

Okay, let's do the numbers. This tariff row is hurting the Indian rupee. It's down near a record low at 87.88 against the dollar. But ironically, a weaker rupee could actually soften some of the pain. But by making Indian exports cheaper and the oil giant BP is slashing another 1500 jobs and 1,200 contractor jobs across its global workforce, which means it expects 6,200 jobs to go overall. So most people agree that plastic pollution is a problem. But what's not agreed is the best way to tackle it. Delegates from more than 170 countries are in Geneva for what could be the final push to agree a legally binding global plastics treaty. Most nations want a deal, but can they get one? Here's the BBBC's Esme Stallard.

[Esme Stallard]

Nearly 100 countries are seeking a treaty which would include measures to limit plastic production and single use plastics. But the group have faced strong opposition throughout previous negotiations from some petro states which want to focus on end of life measures such as improving recycling rather than any limits on producing oil based plastic. Despite the divide, it's clear many countries want to deal in whatever form that takes. As President Trump pulls the US Back from international environmental action, they fear time's running out to get something on paper.

[Liana Byrne]

As mate Stallard reporting. Meanwhile, one social entrepreneur, Boyan Slat, has spent years trying to clear plastic from the oceans with his non profit. It's been working in LA and the Pacific. Now he's expanding to 30 coastal cities and wants to stop plastic before it gets to the sea. The BBC's James Graham spoke to him about the plan.

[Boyan Slat]

So we're Talking about roughly 2 to 300 rivers in total on this program. But those relatively small rivers in coastal cities and middle income countries, those are really the waterways that carry most plastic pollution to the oceans. And those are the ones we're tackling.

[James Graham]

In terms of your finances, I mean this is a big ambition, big scale up. Where are your funds coming from for this?

[Boyan Slat]

So we are a nonprofit and we're supported by a broad set of partners really ranging from just people making donations through our website to philanthropists through corporate sponsorships. So from companies who see the value in partnering with us. And as we speak, the first funding has been secured for these 30 cities. But we are in the process of assembling a group of companies and individuals with whom we're now aiming to secure the budget.

[James Graham]

Can you put a figure on say the annual budget of running the 30 cities program for the cost of tackling.

[Boyan Slat]

These 30 cities and reducing the amount of plastic flowing into the ocean by up to a third? We currently estimate this to be in the order of $350 million spread over five years time and we're currently working on raising that funding.

[James Graham]

I mean it is a lot of money though, isn't it? I mean, how optimistic are you of seeing this through and getting enough money to achieve it?

[Boyan Slat]

Yeah, it's been very exciting to see a large amount of interest, especially from companies who are interested in being part of this, but also some philanthropists. And of course now the fact that people can see the impact of our first 20 rivers, the fact that we already stopping about 1 to 3% of global plastic emissions does give people the confidence that we will be able to deliver on our next promise as well.

[James Graham]

I know you've been criticized in the past for your tie ups with corporates. Consumer goods companies say that might be willing to get involved when they are creating plastic packaging. That might be the kind of thing that you're fishing out of rivers. I mean, is that a contradiction there?

[Boyan Slat]

You know, if anyone should be part of paying the cost of dealing with these issues, I think it's the companies that have benefited from being able to use this material cheaply. So I think what we're going to see is a mix of companies ranging from companies that are actually being affected by the problem. Right. So for example, the tourism sector all the way to companies that have been part in creating this problem.

[Liana Byrne]

That was Bowen Slat from the ocean cleanup. And I'm Liana Byrne with the Marketplace morning report from the BBC World Service.

[Marketplace Team]

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