US tariff blow puts Indian MSMEs on the brink

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. 

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.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DR)