Listeners, today's top story is the unprecedented 50% U.S. tariff on most Indian goods, a direct result of actions taken under former President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order. Effective since August 27th, these tariffs combine an initial 10% baseline duty, a 25% reciprocal tariff, and an additional 25% penalty specifically targeting sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather, auto parts, chemicals, agricultural products, machinery, marine products, and more. This marks the steepest tariff hike India has ever faced from a major trading partner, with only pharmaceuticals, electronics, energy, and critical minerals exempt in order to protect key U.S. supply chain interests, as ClearTax reported earlier this week.

Over 55% of India’s $87 billion annual exports to the U.S. have been placed at risk, and exporters are bracing for what could be a $4–5 billion drop in outbound shipments this year and a hit to India’s GDP in the range of 0.3–0.5%. Textiles, gems, and auto parts are among the hardest hit, with industry associations reporting widespread concern and calls for government support for MSMEs caught in the crossfire. Despite these headwinds, the Indian government has, as of now, opted for diplomacy and WTO consultations rather than immediate reciprocal tariffs. New Delhi is focusing on export diversification and support for domestic manufacturers rather than direct retaliation.

Economic Times reports that Indian exports to the United States plunged 37.5% between May and September 2025—falling from $8.8 billion to $5.5 billion in just four months. Despite the steep decline, India’s exports to other regions such as Spain, the UAE, China, and Bangladesh have shown resilience. Electronics and marine products, for instance, posted year-on-year growth, highlighting India’s strategic shift in export destination channels. September 2025 saw electronics shipments rise 50.5%, marine products up 23.4%, and gems and jewelry maintain marginal growth, according to both brokerage and government data. Textile exports, however, declined more than 10%, underlining the challenges for labor-intensive sectors.

The U.S. fashion industry is feeling the squeeze as well. According to transcripts from recent Q2 and Q3 earnings calls collected by Shenglu Fashion, leading brands like G-III Apparel, Victoria’s Secret, and Tapestry are projecting record cost increases from the India tariffs, with new inventory costs spiraling into the hundreds of millions of dollars for 2025. Retailers such as Ross Stores and Burlington note that consumers should expect higher prices for goods sourced from India, potentially by the end of the year, given both the scale and permanence of these tariffs.

As it stands, listeners, the India tariff rate from the U.S. is at a historic high of 50% and has disrupted everything from domestic stock markets to global sourcing strategies. The coming months will be crucial, with further diplomatic talks and a possible tariff review expected after the 2026 U.S. elections. We’ll be watching closely to see how India adapts—through trade deals, export diversification, and strategic government support.

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