Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday reassured exporters that the government stands firmly with them as the hike in US tariffs comes into effect, creating uncertainty in the global market.
Addressing a delegation of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the Finance Minister stressed the importance of protecting workers’ livelihoods and urged industry leaders to assure employees of job continuity despite global headwinds. She underlined that the government will extend comprehensive support to help exporters sustain growth momentum and preserve India’s resilience in international trade.
“The government is committed to addressing all concerns of the exporting community and will explore every possible avenue to safeguard their interests,” Sitharaman said during the interaction.
The FIEO delegation, led by President S.C. Ralhan, presented the challenges faced by Indian exporters due to the higher US tariffs. Ralhan highlighted the adverse impact on market access, competitiveness, and employment, calling for quick and calibrated policy measures to ease the strain on exporters who have been key drivers of growth and jobs.
Ralhan said the Finance Minister’s reassurance was “a great source of confidence” for the exporting fraternity, noting that her commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with exporters shows the priority given to safeguarding India’s trade and employment. He reaffirmed FIEO’s resolve to work closely with the government to diversify markets and strengthen India’s global trade position.
The concerns follow the US government’s decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian-origin goods, pushing total duties on many export categories up to 50 per cent from Friday. According to FIEO, about 55 per cent of India’s shipments to the US — valued at $47–48 billion — are now exposed to pricing disadvantages of 30–35 per cent, making them uncompetitive against products from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and other Asian economies.
Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, seafood, leather, ceramics, and handicrafts are among the hardest hit by the duty hike.
-IANS