The enemy of my enemy is my trading partner. As Donald Trump’s tariff war rattles the global economy, two giants are rushing into each other’s arms. India and the European Union are set to announce the "Mother of All Deals"—a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA)—as Brussels’ top brass lands in New Delhi for Republic Day.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Antonio Costa are not just visiting for the parade; they are there to sign a pact born of necessity. With the US slapping 50% tariffs on Indian goods and threatening Europe, New Delhi and Brussels have realized they need each other to survive the protectionist storm.

The Deal at a Glance

Negotiations that dragged on for two decades have suddenly found warp speed. The urgency is palpable.

• Tariff Slash: The deal promises to slash import duties on European luxury cars, wines, and spirits entering the massive Indian market. For the EU, this is a goldmine.
• Market Access: In return, Indian textiles, electronics, and pharmaceuticals will get duty-free access to Europe. This is a lifeline for Indian manufacturers battered by US levies.
• Strategic Autonomy: Beyond trade, this is a geopolitical middle finger to Washington. It signals that the world will not stop trading just because America raises its drawbridge.

Why It Matters

For the Global South, this is a template for survival in a post-globalisation world. It proves that bilateral deals can replace the crumbling World Trade Organization order. India, the world's largest democracy, is positioning itself as the alternative factory to China and the alternative market to the US.

The Kenyan Lens

Kenya should take notes. We are currently negotiating our own Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU. If India can secure favorable terms for its textiles and flowers, so can we. Furthermore, a stronger India-EU axis balances the global power scales, giving African nations more options than just "Look East" or "Look West."

As the Indian tricolor flies over New Delhi this January 26th, it will wave over a new economic reality. The deal is not just about cars and wine; it is about survival in the age of Trump.