The week in charts: Tariff troubles, easing inflation, ONGC NTPC Green deal

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports, a move that could upend the global metals market. The RBI expects inflation to average 4.4% in January-March, though global market uncertainties, fuel price volatility, and unpredictable weather could pose risks to this trend. Despite a challenging liquidity deficit and tightening conditions in the banking system since December, the RBI's proactive measures, including forex market interventions and liquidity infusions, have helped stabilize the situation. While rate cuts typically compress net interest margins for banks, the impact may be less severe this time as rising deposit rates and proactive liquidity measures are likely to make rate cut transmission easier, a Mint analysis showed.