Indian steel and aluminium exporters will face a carbon-linked cost from January 1, 2026, as the EU’s CBAM transitions to its payment stage. Exporters may need to cut prices by 15-22% to absorb the carbon cost, with high-emission producers facing the sharpest impact.

Starting January 1, energy-efficiency star labelling will be mandatory for a broader array of appliances, including refrigerators, televisions, and LPG stoves, as the government intensifies efforts to reduce power consumption.

The government has launched a Rs 4,531-crore Market Access Support scheme to bolster Indian exporters’ participation in international events.

The Indian rupee faces significant volatility through 2026, with capital outflows and trade disruptions overshadowing strong economic fundamentals. Analysts warn that a US trade deal alone may not stabilize the currency, which has already seen substantial depreciation against major global currencies.

Wall Street’s major indexes retreated slightly on Tuesday, as worries over valuations of artificial intelligence stocks lingered in the final days of 2025. Major tech players saw declines early Tuesday as well, with shares in Nvidia and Palantir Technologies dipping.