IBEX NEWS,Shimla
The Centre for Business Law and Economics at Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, HPNLU, successfully hosted an e-Colloquium on “Reciprocal Tariff and the Imposition of New Economic Order: Issues, Concerns and Legal Challenges” on 1st May 2025. The thematic focus was curated in response to the recent shifts in the United States’ tariff policy, sparking a timely and thought-provoking academic discussion.
The 90-minute intellectual session drew enthusiastic participation from doctoral researchers, postgraduate, and undergraduate students, creating a vibrant platform for academic engagement and interdisciplinary dialogue.
The colloquium was enriched by the presence of two distinguished experts in the field of international trade law: Prof. Dr. T.S. Somashekhar, Professor of Economics at NLSIU Bangalore, and Dr. Bipin Kumar, Faculty at NLU Jodhpur. Their contributions provided deep insights into the evolving dynamics of global trade policy and its multifaceted legal implications.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Priti Saxena, Vice Chancellor, HPNLU Shimla, who set the tone by critically reflecting on the feasibility of reciprocal tariffs in a globally interconnected economy. This was followed by an introductory segment led by students Anushka, Varin, and Shaurya, who outlined the core legal and factual issues at the heart of the current global tariffs debate.
Dr. T.S. Somashekhar offered a comprehensive overview of international trade regimes, including the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), framing the United States’ latest tariff policies within these legal structures. Dr. Bipin Kumarpresented a nuanced analysis from a Global South perspective, highlighting the broader economic and legal consequences for developing nations.
The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Prof. Girjesh Shukla, Director of the Centre for Business Law and Economics, expressing gratitude to the esteemed speakers and participants for their valuable contributions to the academic discourse.
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