Fashion
Alaska calculus: What the Trump–Putin meeting means for India?
In the early stages of the trade escalation, there was a general consensus in India that Washington’s aim was to secure greater concessions, with many believing that Trump’s additional tariff threat was a strategic move to bring India back to the negotiating table. However, those hopes have been dampened in recent days.
Trump has signalled that further trade talks with India are unlikely unless a separate, sensitive issue is resolved—India’s ongoing oil imports from Russia, which he argues is “fuelling the war machine” in the Ukraine. When asked by journalists if the tariff decision would result in a renewed push towards finalising a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), Trump’s response was reportedly in the negative, which is seen in reference to his demand that India halt its oil purchases from Russia first.
The 25 per cent additional tariff imposed by Donald Trump on Indian goods is set to take effect from August 27.
According to some estimates, owing to increased tariffs, certain knitted garments could face duties as high as 64 per cent and woven apparels around 60.3 per cent.
The Trump-Putin meeting on August 15 in Alaska might influence the course of India-US trade ties.
This linkage of trade negotiations to India’s energy diplomacy has now thrown bilateral discussions into uncertainty. Experts and analysts suggest that as long as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues and India maintains its current oil strategy, progress on trade talks with the US could remain frozen.
Meanwhile, according to reports, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasised in a recent interview that the US has imposed secondary tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil and reportedly warned that further measures could follow if the situation does not improve.
From an economic standpoint, the imposition of the new tariffs poses a serious though not devastating challenge for India. Many analysts are of the opinion that it is not going to cripple an economy of India’s size.
However, the consequences for specific export-driven sectors—particularly textiles and apparel—could be much more severe. India’s labour-intensive textile industry, which heavily relies on US demand, is bracing for a potential loss of up to $5 billion in business, according to some industry estimates.
Owing to increased tariffs, certain knitted garments could face duties as high as 64 per cent, while woven apparel could be hit with tariffs of around 60.3 per cent, claim industry insiders. These elevated rates place India at a serious competitive disadvantage, especially when compared to rivals like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Cambodia.
Meanwhile, industry voices from textile hubs like Tiruppur, Coimbatore, and Karur have already sounded the alarm. As per media reports, manufacturers in these regions claimed some existing orders from US buyers have been paused, and there is growing concern that future contracts could be diverted to countries with lower tariffs.
This shifting trade landscape is unfolding at a time when broader diplomatic developments are also in flux. All eyes are now on the upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday, August 15, in Alaska.
The primary focus of this meeting is going to be the ongoing war in Ukraine.
For India, this high-stakes diplomatic engagement could carry significant implications. If the talks result in any meaningful progress towards de-escalating the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India’s continued oil imports from Russia could become less contentious—possibly removing one of the major obstacles to renewed US–India trade discussions.
A breakthrough at the Alaska meeting could thus provide the diplomatic cover needed for both sides to resume stalled trade talks, feel some experts.
Though still speculative, the summit’s outcome will be closely watched by Indian industry leaders and policymakers for sure. That it falls on India’s Independence Day only adds a symbolic twist—depending on how the talk plays out, it could pave the way for easing the tariff pressure. But if things go south, a further strain in trade relations remains a distinct possibility.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
Economic momentum remained strong at the end of 2025, with real GDP expanding 8.4 per cent year on year (YoY) in the fourth quarter, the fastest pace in several years. Growth was driven by robust export-oriented industrial production. Credit growth surged to 19.4 per cent YoY by December, well above deposit growth of 14 per cent, SBV said in a release.
Vietnam’s interbank rates, which rose sharply in late 2025, are expected to ease in 2026 as credit growth and economic momentum cool.
GDP expanded 8.4 per cent year on year in Q4, while credit growth of 19.4 per cent outpaced deposits.
Despite a strong 2025, US tariff risks remain.
The SBV is likely to keep rates steady while targeting slower credit growth.
While Vietnam enters 2026 on a positive footing after achieving an estimated 8 per cent growth in 2025, external risks remain significant for the export-driven economy. Goods exports to the US, which account for around 30 per cent of the total, face the lagged impact of 20 per cent reciprocal tariffs, uncertainty over transshipment duties, and the risk of additional sectoral measures, including possible semiconductor levies.
Monetary authorities have signalled a cautious policy stance for 2026 despite an official GDP growth target of 10 per cent, which analysts view as difficult to achieve. Growth is expected to moderate to around 6.5 per cent, while the SBV has set a lower credit growth target of 15 per cent to limit overheating and resource misallocation risks.
The refinancing rate is expected to remain unchanged at 4.50 per cent, though the possibility of an unexpected rate hike cannot be ruled out if liquidity strains persist.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Published
January 16, 2026
New addition at Interjeans: following last year’s arrival of German athletic-luxury brand Bogner, the San Marino-based company in Rovereta, founded in 1992 by Andrea Belletti, is expanding its brand portfolio and has outlined its growth plans to FashionNetwork.com.
“Last November we signed a distribution agreement for the Italian market with Belstaff: a storied brand with motorcycling roots, founded in England in 1924, which I am sure will be a must-have once again. For 2026 we expect encouraging results, driven in particular by this addition,” said Belletti.
“As for Interjeans, we are not considering any company-owned stores beyond the one in Riccione,” the manager continued. “We remain true to our roots, focusing on distribution, but we would like to develop a shop-in-shop format with key customers that would allow us greater control over the product assortment, layout and communication. We are currently present with Lyle & Scott and Superdry in Rinascente and Coin, via concessions, but we would like to extend this format to include Belstaff as well,” Belletti continued.
Interjeans, which closed 2025 with turnover of €39 million, distributes in Italy the brands G-Star Raw, Lyle & Scott, Dr Denim, Karl Lagerfeld (three lines), Bogner, O’Neill, the Greek womenswear brand BSB, and Superdry.
Julian Dunkerton, CEO of the British clothing brand he founded in 2003 in Cheltenham—a label that blends American preppy-vintage style with English elegance—presented the new Superdry collection. It stands out for its clean lines, perfect balance and refined functionality.
Speaking to FashionNetwork.com, the entrepreneur revealed he is very pleased with the results achieved after a major reorganisation.
Dunkerton described it as a “massive shake-up” that has returned the company to profit.
“We have worked hard on the collections and distribution, reviewed the structure, and delisted from the stock market. Today, I feel we are on the right path: there is consistency and a clear awareness of who we are. Our presence at Pitti is fundamental; it is the most important international event in the industry and for us it truly represents the place to be. Next year, I would like to double the size of our space and bring our womenswear offer to Florence as well, which now accounts for 50 per cent of the total. In addition, we plan to open 24 Superdry stores in 2026 with a completely revamped store format that emphasises our British heritage and offers a lighter, brighter, higher-quality aesthetic. We will operate through both franchise agreements and direct management, predominantly in the UK,” concluded the Superdry founder.
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