India’s textiles, leather, jewellery and footwear sectors are warning of massive losses after U.S. tariffs of up to 50 per cent came into effect last week, severely curbing exports.
The Trump administration’s move — doubling duties after India refused to halt Russian oil purchases — has left labour-heavy industries struggling to cope, according to local media reports.
In Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur, a key textile hub, workers say the slowdown is already hitting livelihoods. “If one leaves this industry, there is no alternative employment,” said Thangaraj, a knitting factory worker, appealing for urgent government action.
Exporters say the U.S. market is vital. “Almost all manufacturers here are dependent on it. The burden is too much,” said Viswanadan of Prospper Exports, who called for interest-free loans to keep factories afloat.
Meanwhile, in Agra, northern India’s footwear hub, leather shoe production has reportedly ground to a halt since the tariffs were imposed. Industry leaders warned that U.S. consumers would also feel the pinch as Indian goods are priced out of the market, while competitors from other countries step in.
India currently holds around a fifth of the global leather export market, but that share is now seen as being at risk.
