India, US and Trump…Kumar Mangalam Birla coins 3U, explains how world will change in 2025 with…, says Trump is…

Kumar Mangalam Birla talked about 2025 as being defined by the “3U” factors that aer – Uncertain, Unpredictable, and Unorthodox.

Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group Kumar Mangalam Birla has shared his insights for the new year that has just begun. Shedding light on the uncertainties of this year, Donald Trump’s impact, the importance of technology, and India’s manufacturing potential. He highlighted that the last year marks 25 years for the Aditya Birla Group.

Over the past 25 years, the world has witnessed the digital age, globalisation, climate change, and the drastic rise of artificial intelligence (AI). It is worth mentioning that changes that once took centuries are now happening in decades, making the world more connected, divided, advanced, and anxious.

Kumar Mangalam Birla talked about 2025 as being defined by the “3U” factors that are – Uncertain, Unpredictable, and Unorthodox. He stated that navigating these uncertainties will be crucial, as they summarise the paradox of our times—a world filled with possibilities but shrouded in ambiguity. He added that while social media presents a superficial image, the actual reality is far more complex.

Donald Trump Will Shape the Course

Birla pointed out that Donald Trump could be pivotal in shaping this year. According to Birla, Trump’s influence may impact the global economy and trade environment.

For the Aditya Birla Group, America remains a crucial market, with over USD 15 billion in investments, including a USD 4 billion greenfield expansion currently underway.

Expressing optimism about India-US relations, Birla reiterated Warren Buffett’s advice, “Never bet against America,” praising the dynamism of the American economy.

Birla remarked that there is a global resurgence in emphasis on manufacturing aimed at reinforcing and diversifying supply chains. He noted that India is in a strong position to take advantage of this opportunity, even though its industrial capabilities are frequently undervalued. The arrival of Apple’s ecosystem in India is a testament to this. Soon, a quarter of the world’s iPhones will be manufactured in India.

The Indian automobile sector is also emerging as a major global exporter of components and vehicles.

India’s Cement Industry: Second Largest in the World

It is to be noted that India’s cement industry, which is the second largest in the world, often goes unnoticed. It has fuelled infrastructure development, generated employment, and accelerated economic growth in the country. In 2024, the Aditya Birla Group’s flagship cement company, UltraTech Cement, achieved a capacity of 150 MTPA. UltraTech now produces more than 1.5 times the total cement output of America and over 80 percent of Europe’s total capacity. This is also clear evidence of India’s growing industrial strength and global manufacturing influence.

Birla called 2024 a milestone year for the Aditya Birla Group. The group has expanded into new growth sectors such as paints, jewellery retail, and B2B e-commerce for construction materials.