By Ian Maleve
India has estimated that around 55 percent of its exports to the United States could be affected if US President Donald Trump implements his proposed trade policies.
According to senior officials familiar with the analysis, sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, steel, and engineering goods are among the most exposed to potential tariff hikes.
The warning comes amid growing concerns in New Delhi over the possible resurgence of protectionist trade policies under a second Trump administration.
The projection follows signals from Trump’s campaign that he may introduce across-the-board tariffs on imports, with some reports suggesting duties as high as 10 percent on all goods entering the US.
India, currently one of the largest trading partners of the United States, exported goods worth over $100 billion to the American market in the last financial year.
Officials have noted that any blanket tariff policy would disproportionately affect developing economies like India, which rely heavily on access to the US market for labor-intensive exports.
This would not only reduce competitiveness for Indian goods but also disrupt supply chains and put pressure on job-creating industries at home.
Trade analysts have pointed out that India’s robust export growth over the last few years has been underpinned by favourable trade terms and a diversified product base.
A major shift in US trade policy could compel Indian exporters to reconsider market strategies and explore alternative destinations in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
The Indian government is reportedly preparing contingency plans to mitigate potential shocks, including diversifying export markets, strengthening trade deals with other regions, and offering support to affected industries.
While the situation remains speculative until the outcome of the US presidential election is known, Indian trade stakeholders are watching developments closely, bracing for a possible shift in global trade dynamics that could reshape the country’s export outlook.
