U.S. Economic Growth Slows Amid Tariff Pressures: A 2025 Outlook

๐Ÿ“‰ U.S. Economic Growth Slows Amid Tariff Pressures: A 2025 Outlook As 2025 unfolds, the U.S. economy is showing signs of strain amid a global slowdown and heightened trade barriers. Here's a detailed look at the latest forecasts and implications based on insights from the OECD, Federal Reserve, and key market indicators . ๐Ÿ“Š 1. U.S. Growth Forecast Downgraded by OECD The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revised the U.S. GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 1.6% , down from 2.8% in 2024 . The forecast for 2026 remains muted at 1.5% , reflecting persistent uncertainty driven by: Elevated trade barriers Reduced consumer spending power Sluggish business investment ๐Ÿ’ธ 2. Tariffs Fueling Inflation & Trade Costs The average U.S. tariff rate has climbed to 15.4% , the highest level since 1938 . These tariffs have raised import costs, which are now being passed on to consumers: Projected consumer price inflation is expected to rise to...

Pakistan Ministers Share Stage with Lashkar Terrorists: Global Concerns Mount

 

Pakistan Ministers Share Stage with Lashkar Terrorists: Global Concerns Mount

In a shocking development from Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan, several Pakistani ministers were seen sharing the stage with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commanders at an event organized by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML). The event featured prominent LeT figures such as Saifullah Kasuri, Talha Saeed (son of Hafiz Saeed), and Amir Hamza. Their speeches openly glorified terrorism and unleashed a barrage of anti-India rhetoric, reigniting concerns about Pakistan’s deep ties with extremist groups [1].


Ministerial Endorsements of Terror
Minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan stunned observers by equating terror figures with Pakistan’s national identity, claiming that people like Hafiz Saeed and Saifullah Kasuri are representative of Pakistanis. Saifullah Kasuri, who is accused of orchestrating the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack in India, used the platform to mock India’s accusations, boasting about his newfound global notoriety [2].

Adding to the alarm, Amir Hamza—listed as a US-designated terrorist—raised pro-Khalistan slogans, signaling a dangerous attempt to reignite unrest in Indian Punjab [3].


Rajnath Singh’s Warning: Operation Sindoor’s Real Impact

Meanwhile, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made strong statements about India’s naval strength during a recent address. Singh revealed that if the Indian Navy had fully engaged in Operation Sindoor, Pakistan could have faced complete fragmentation, potentially splitting into four parts [4].

Calling Operation Sindoor a “warm-up,” Singh warned Pakistan against future provocations, vowing a robust naval response to any aggression. He praised the Indian Navy’s decisive action, bottling up Pakistani naval assets and protecting Indian maritime interests [5].

Significantly, Singh also demanded that Pakistan dismantle its terror networks and hand over fugitives Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India [6].


Amit Shah Visits Poonch, Stands with Affected Families

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir to meet families devastated by recent Pakistani shelling. During his visit, Shah distributed job appointment letters to the families of civilians killed in the attacks, expressing India’s unwavering support [7].

He unequivocally condemned Pakistan’s targeting of civilians, stating that such acts will not be tolerated. Shah also praised the Indian Armed Forces for their precision response, which reportedly led to the destruction of nine Pakistani air bases [8].

Reiterating India’s firm stance, Shah declared that “terror and talks cannot go together,” rejecting any proposals for ceasefire until Pakistan stops supporting terror [9].


India-Pakistan Economic Ties: Limited but Ongoing

Despite rising tensions, India and Pakistan continue to have limited economic interactions. Recently, Russia finalized a deal with Pakistan to revive a Soviet-era steel plant, raising eyebrows in New Delhi about Moscow’s shifting priorities [10].

Meanwhile, China reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Pakistan by extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan—an act India views as a direct challenge to its sovereignty [11].

In contrast, India’s economy remains resilient. New trade agreements with the UK have been signed, and ongoing negotiations with the EU and USA highlight India’s growing economic clout despite regional instability [12].


Conclusion

The recent events in Pakistan, coupled with strong responses from Indian leaders, underscore the escalating tensions between the two nations. With Pakistan’s continued support for extremist groups and India’s assertive stand against terrorism, the situation remains volatile. As these developments unfold, the world is watching closely to see if diplomacy can triumph over hostility in the region.


๐Ÿ‘‰ Stay updated with the latest geopolitical insights and analyses! Bookmark this page and subscribe to our newsletter for real-time updates.


References

  1. Dawn News

  2. The Hindu

  3. Indian Express

  4. The Economic Times

  5. Times of India

  6. NDTV

  7. Hindustan Times

  8. The Tribune India

  9. ANI News

  10. Russia Today

  11. Global Times

  12. Business Standard


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The law of diminishing returns states

Operation Sindoor: Unfolding Economic and Geopolitical Ripples

Elastic and inelastic demand