The United States’ decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, raising the total duty to 50 per cent, is sending shockwaves through India’s business landscape. 

The US’ imposition of 25 per cent additional tariff on Indian imports has raised the total duty to 50 per cent, creating deep uncertainty for the MSMEs.
As per reports, Panipat and Ludhiana are amongst the hardest hit by the US tariffs.
However, the latest media reports suggest the government is now planning dedicated outreach programmes in 40 countries to counter the steep US tariffs.

Reports indicate nearly 50 per cent of India’s exports to the United States, valued at around $87.3 billion, will face the steep 50 per cent tariff. This will significantly impact the key sectors, including textiles and apparel, gems and jewellery, seafood, and leather goods.

Meanwhile, analysts estimate a GDP reduction between 0.2 per cent and 1 per cent in FY26, with a potential economic contraction of $7 billion to $25 billion, depending on price adjustments and finding new markets while a CRISIL report highlighted that higher US tariffs will have a significant impact on India’s MSME sector, which accounts for approximately 45 per cent of the country’s total exports. Among the hardest hit will be textiles and gems & jewellery, which together make up an estimated 25 per cent of India’s exports to the US.

In cities like Panipat and Ludhiana — two major industrial hubs and home to a large number of MSMEs— the abrupt escalation of US tariffs has triggered a fresh wave of uncertainty, particularly among MSMEs, which form the backbone of the export economy.

Known as India’s “Textile City,” Panipat in Haryana is globally recognised for its production of yarn, home textiles, and recycled fabrics. However, since the imposition of the initial 25 per cent reciprocal tariff by the US, Panipat’s supply chains had been facing serious disruptions, and now, with the additional 25 per cent tariff coming into effect, the implications are going to be devastating expressed fears some industry stakeholders interacting with Fibre2Fashion. 

Panipat’s yarn industry, which boasts an annual turnover of about ₹60,000 crore, relies on exports worth ₹20,000 crore — 60 per cent of which are destined for the US, as per some estimates. This makes the city one of the most exposed to Washington’s aggressive trade stance. Already strained by ongoing global crises such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, high freight costs, and inflation in key international markets like Europe and South America, the industry is struggling to absorb yet another external shock.

For the city’s yarn spinners, exporters, and small-scale crafters, the implications are dire. Increased duties mean Indian products will be significantly less competitive in the US market. Order volumes are expected to drop drastically as American buyers seek cheaper alternatives in other countries. Local businesses, especially the smaller ones, are worried about payment delays, the spectre of cancelled contracts and mass layoffs. 

Meanwhile, Ludhiana, an important export hub in the state of Punjab, is also said to be facing its own set of challenges. The city, which exports a wide range of goods including textiles, hosiery, auto parts, hand tools, and machinery, is said to be staring at a revenue loss of over ₹10,000 crore because of the US tariffs, as per some estimates. 

According to reports, more than 300 companies in Ludhiana are directly engaged in trade with the American market, and the sudden cost escalation will only push them into crisis mode. With roughly ₹6,000 crore worth of textile and hosiery goods shipped annually to the US, as per some estimates, the stakes for Ludhiana’s manufacturers could not be higher.

The tariffs come at a time when exporters in Ludhiana are already under pressure from fluctuating demand, rising input costs, and stiff global competition. The industry now faces the grim prospect of large-scale order cancellations, job loss and even existential threat for some.

However, there now appears to be a glimmer of hope. According to the latest media reports, the Government is now planning dedicated outreach programmes in 40 countries to counter the steep US tariffs. The list reportedly includes key markets such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Spain, South Korea, Turkiye, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

Experts have long emphasised that diversifying into new markets and exploring alternative geographies is crucial for survival, and with the Government’s active help, hopefully the industry is able to navigate its way out of the crisis soon.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)

The Indian textiles and garment industry has urged the government to provide urgent relief as the additional 25 per cent punitive tariff imposed by the US will take effect from August 27, 2025. This will push the total duties on Indian apparel exports to above 50 per cent. Industry representatives warned the move poses an existential challenge, threatening millions of jobs and thousands of factories.

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said the industry had reconciled to a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff but the further burden would make Indian exports uncompetitive. “The additional 25 per cent will close the US market for Indian apparel. Exporters will now face a tariff differential of 30–31 per cent against major competing nations,” AEPC Secretary General Mithileshwar Thakur told Fibre2Fashion. He urged immediate fiscal support until a bilateral trade agreement can be reached.

India’s apparel industry warns of an existential crisis as US tariffs on exports will soar to above 50 per cent from August 27, 2025.
Exporters face a tariff gap of over 30 per cent against competitors, risking three million jobs and 20,000 factories.
Industry leaders urge urgent fiscal support and stronger diplomatic engagement until a bilateral trade pact is secured.

Jasveen Kaur, Senior Director of Merchandising at New Times Group, described the tariff shock as “seismic,” saying nearly 25 per cent of Tiruppur’s US-bound knitwear orders have already been paused or cancelled. “This is not about two per cent of GDP—it is about millions of jobs and the survival of entire communities,” she said, adding that exporters are slashing prices to keep shipments moving as US buyers renegotiate or withdraw.

Industry estimates suggest around three million jobs and 20,000 factories are at risk. While some exporters are exploring joint ventures in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, Kaur noted that diversifying markets and securing new buyers could take more than a year. “We need decisive government action and stronger diplomatic engagement with the US,” she appealed.

Sanjay K Jain, Chairman of the ICC National Textiles Committee and MD of TT Ltd, echoed these concerns. “The industry is at a standstill, and 50 per cent of orders (for export to the US) will likely be cancelled. The rest can only be retained if exporters absorb losses. The impact of such super-high tariffs will be terrible and felt across the entire value chain,” he warned.

While the government’s recent move to waive the 11 per cent cotton import duty was welcomed, industry players said it offers little relief against the tariff shock. Exporters are focusing on cost optimisation, targeting a 15–20 per cent reset, but say sustained government support is vital to prevent large-scale disruption in India’s apparel sector.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)

With the onset of steep US tariffs from today, India’s textile sector faces renewed pressure on global competitiveness. The Northern India Textile Mills Association (NITMA) has called on the GST Council, meeting September 3–4, 2025, to implement a uniform 5 per cent GST across the man-made fibre (MMF) value chain.

NITMA president Sidharth Khanna warned that the current inverted duty structure—where polyester staple fibre (PSF) is taxed at 18 per cent and polyester spun yarn (PSY) at 12 per cent while fabric is at 5 per cent—is unworkable for spinners. He urged a cut in PSF and PSY rates to 5 per cent to align with fabric.

India’s textile sector is under strain as steep US tariffs take effect today.
The Northern India Textile Mills Association (NITMA) has urged the GST Council, meeting on September 3–4, 2025, to address the inverted duty structure in the man-made fibre value chain by reducing GST on polyester staple fibre (18 per cent) and polyester spun yarn (12 per cent) to 5 per cent, aligning with fabric.

According to Khanna, the present system burdens the industry with blocked working capital in GST refunds, unutilised input tax credits, administrative delays, loss of state SGST incentives, and unfair competition from imports.

“This is a critical moment for India’s textile sector. Decisive action to remove the inverted duty structure will not only counteract the impact of US tariffs but also unlock growth and investment across the MMF value chain, thereby making this event a blessing in disguise,” Khanna stressed.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)