NLIU Essay Competition U.S. Tariff Analysis – Winners Declared 2025

Read the results of the NLIU essay competition U.S. tariff analysis 2025. Discover winners, essay highlights, and insights into global trade and tariff policies.

Introduction

The NLIU essay competition U.S. tariff analysis has officially concluded with the National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal, releasing the results of its Online International Essay Writing Competition 2025. Organized by the Centre for Law and Economics, the event witnessed strong participation from law students and researchers across India, reflecting a growing academic interest in global trade disputes, tariff reforms, and international economic law.

The competition encouraged participants to examine the evolving role of tariffs in shaping economic and political relations, particularly in light of recent U.S. trade policies. From nuanced evaluations of mercantilist strategies to sharp critiques of presidential tariff playbooks, the essays highlighted the intellectual rigor and diverse perspectives brought by young legal scholars.

Background of the Competition

The Online International Essay Writing Competition hosted by NLIU’s Centre for Law and Economics has become an important academic platform. Designed to foster critical thinking, the contest allows emerging scholars to analyze pressing global issues through a legal and economic lens. In 2025, the focus shifted to international trade dynamics, tariffs, and the ripple effects of policy shifts initiated by the United States.

Experts note that essay competitions of this kind serve dual purposes: they test students’ capacity for deep research while also nurturing global debates around economics and law. With tariffs frequently reshaping markets and cross-border trade, participants had an opportunity to situate their analysis within both historical and contemporary contexts.

Announcement of Results

The official PDF release from NLIU Bhopal confirmed the winners for 2025:

• First Prize:
  “Tariffed and Tangled: U.S. Neomercantilist Tariffs in the Age of Globalization”
  Authors: Mrudul Bisen & Samriddhi Dubey, Maharashtra National Law University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
• Second Prize:
  “The Art of the Deal or the Cost of Chaos? Trump’s 2025 Tariff Playbook Dissected”
  Authors: Charu Sabharwal & B. Dhanusri, Alliance University
• Third Prize (Shared):
  “Analyzing the International Trade Dynamics under New Tariff Policy of United States of America (USA)”
  Author: Gouri Sinha, Symbiosis Law School, Pune “Analyzing the International Trade Dynamics under New Tariff Policy of United States of America (USA)”
  Authors: Sadhna Jeswani & Shrishti Yadav, Madhyanchal Professional University

The selected essays reflect a balance of critical thought and policy-driven analysis, with each contribution exploring unique facets of tariff policy and international economic regulation.

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Broader Implications of the Competition

The competition outcomes highlight three major themes:

1. Resurgence of Protectionism
   Essays such as Tariffed and Tangled dissected how the U.S. is reviving mercantilist approaches in modern contexts, challenging globalization principles.
2. Impact of Political Leadership on Trade Policy
   The second prize-winning entry explored how presidential decisions, particularly those associated with Donald Trump, shaped the landscape of tariffs and cross-border negotiations.
3. Emerging Global Trade Dynamics
   The third prize essays delved into structural changes in international trade due to tariff regimes, including shifts in Asia-Pacific partnerships and WTO disputes.

Such perspectives reinforce the importance of involving young academics in shaping conversations around economic governance and legal frameworks.

Expert Commentary

Noted economist and Columbia University professor Jagdish Bhagwati once remarked, “Tariffs are not just economic instruments; they are political weapons.” The relevance of this statement resonates strongly in the 2025 competition. Essays analyzing U.S. tariff decisions through both political and economic prisms underscore how trade restrictions are leveraged to assert national priorities, often at the cost of global stability.

By situating the U.S. tariff narrative within both mercantilist traditions and modern globalization, students connected theory with current realities—something that leading policymakers and researchers consider vital for balanced trade governance.

Educational Value and Opportunities

Competitions like the NLIU initiative are not just about accolades. They provide participants with:

• Enhanced Research Skills: Students engage with academic resources, policy reports, and case studies, refining their ability to analyze complex issues.
• Policy Awareness: By focusing on tariffs and trade, students learn how domestic decisions ripple into global consequences.
• Networking Platforms: Winners gain recognition across universities, potentially opening doors to research collaborations, conferences, and scholarships.

For law students in India, particularly those studying at premier institutions, essay contests build bridges between theoretical understanding and practical policy analysis.

Linking Global Trends to Indian Academia

While the central subject was U.S. trade policy, the competition’s results highlight how such policies influence India’s position in the global market. Rising tariffs in the U.S. impact Indian exports in key sectors like textiles, IT, and pharmaceuticals. Thus, young Indian scholars critically assessing U.S. decisions through essay writing not only refine academic discourse but also indirectly contribute to shaping India’s response strategies.

Indian institutions, through such platforms, are gradually carving a niche in global academic research, showcasing intellectual contributions that can rival international think tanks.

Student Perspective

According to participants, preparing for the competition required weeks of research and collaboration. Students from universities across India connected economic theory with legal reasoning, weaving narratives that underscored the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches.

One student emphasized that the competition helped them understand that tariffs extend beyond economics—they affect employment, geopolitics, and even environmental standards. This realization echoes global debates about the need for inclusive trade policies that balance profit with sustainability.

Role of Law Schools in Policy Research

Universities like NLIU, Symbiosis, and MNLU are playing a pivotal role in nurturing student voices in areas of policy analysis. By giving students access to structured competitions and academic platforms, these institutions contribute to creating a generation of lawyers and economists equipped to tackle issues such as:

• International arbitration and trade disputes
• WTO policy reforms
• Balancing protectionism with free trade
• Legal frameworks for economic diplomacy

The winning essays are, therefore, not isolated works but part of a growing wave of student-driven research with policy relevance.

Internal and External Learning Resources

For students preparing for similar competitions, additional resources can enhance their understanding:

• Explore NCERT Courses for foundational knowledge in economics and law.
• Keep track of Current Affairs to stay updated on global trade trends.
• Access structured Notes and MCQs for exam preparation.
• Use Videos to grasp complex policy changes visually.
• Review comprehensive Syllabus guides for targeted learning.
• Download free NCERT PDFs and Mind Maps for conceptual clarity.
• Schools and academic institutions can strengthen their digital presence with expert support from Mart India Infotech.

These resources allow students to connect classroom theory with global economic realities, further enriching their ability to participate in high-quality competitions.

Conclusion

The 2025 Online International Essay Writing Competition at NLIU Bhopal demonstrates how academic contests can amplify young voices in the global debate on tariffs and trade. The NLIU essay competition U.S. tariff analysis provided students with a platform to challenge, critique, and propose solutions to some of the most pressing issues in international economic governance.

By recognizing the intellectual contributions of students from diverse law schools, NLIU has once again underscored the power of academic inquiry in shaping future leaders. With global trade policies in flux, such contests remind us that the next generation of thinkers is already engaging deeply with the challenges of globalization and protectionism.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main theme of the NLIU essay competition U.S. tariff analysis?
The competition focused on analyzing U.S. tariff policies and their global implications.

Q2. Who won the first prize in the competition?
Mrudul Bisen and Samriddhi Dubey of MNLU Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar won with their essay Tariffed and Tangled.

Q3. What was the second prize-winning essay about?
It analyzed Donald Trump’s 2025 tariff playbook and its impact on trade policy.

Q4. How many students shared the third prize?
Three students across two entries shared the third prize.

Q5. Why are tariff policies important in academic discussions?
They shape international trade, influence domestic industries, and affect global economic stability.

Q6. How do law students benefit from participating in such competitions?
They gain research skills, policy insights, and recognition within academic networks.

Q7. Which institutions did the prize winners represent?
MNLU, Alliance University, Symbiosis Law School, and Madhyanchal Professional University.

Q8. How does the competition connect Indian academia with global trade issues?
By analyzing U.S. tariffs, students link international policy shifts with their implications for India.

Q9. What expert opinion was highlighted in relation to tariffs?
Jagdish Bhagwati emphasized that tariffs function as political weapons, not just economic tools.

Q10. What opportunities can winners expect after such recognition?
They may access academic collaborations, policy research roles, and conference opportunities.