India’s goods exports in September grows 6% despite steep US tariffs

This comes even as steep US tariffs were imposed by India. On July 31, US President Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India using powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

On August 6, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent penal tariff, citing India’s imports of Russian oil. These additional tariffs came into effect on August 27.

India exported goods worth $87 billion to the US in 2024–25. The Finance Ministry has estimated that the US tariffs would affect 55 per cent of these exports.

A survey report released by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) on Monday had said that about a third of the respondents reported their turnover had been adversely reduced by more than 50 per cent, as the majority of US buyers are seeking discounts or have resorted to cancelling orders.

“About 85 per cent of the respondents have reported an inventory build-up due to the reduction in orders, and about two-thirds of the respondents have had to offer discounts to their buyers — the majority of which are to the tune of 25 per cent — to remain competitive,” the survey report said.

The United States is the top export destination for India’s textile and apparel products, accounting for about 28 per cent of India’s global T&A exports.