Parliament Question: Tariffs by United States

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 561 ANSWERED ON 03/02/2026 TARIFFS BY UNITED STATES 561. DR. AMAR SINGH: Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of exporter concerns that existing United States tariffs are already hurting India's exports and further duty escalation may severely disrupt order volumes; (b) if so, the details of the sector-wise export impact assessment conducted by the Government, including vulnerable product categories such as leather, textiles and labour-intensive manufacturing; and (c) the action proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure exporters receive market diversification support, trade facilitation assistance and timely policy relief? ANSWER वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a) & (b) The Department of Commerce is actively engaged with all stakeholders— including State Governments, Exporters, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Industry to assess the evolving trade situation. The Government of India continues to monitor and promote India’s exports. Details of India’s merchandise export performance in the year 2025 for the period April to December compared to the same period in 2024 is as given below: India’s Export (Values in USD Billion) India’s Exports to Apr-Dec-2024 April-Dec-2025 U S A 60.03 65.88 World 322.41 330.24 Source:DGCIS (ii) Sectoral performance of India’s global merchandise exports may be seen at the following link: https://tradestat.commerce.gov.in/ftspcc/export_commodity_wise (c) The Government continues to work to mitigate the impact of the US tariff measures on Indian exports through a comprehensive multi-pronged strategy encompassing intensive engagement with the US Government for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, immediate relief through Trade relief measures of RBI, Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters, enhancement of domestic demand through next generation GST reforms, Export Promotion measures such as the 1new Export Promotion Mission which provide support and assistance to our exporters, pursuing FTAs with new countries and better utilization of existing FTA. It is expected that these measures will also enhance diversification and resilience in India’s trade relationships. Details of some of the aforementioned measures are as follows: 1. Export Promotion Mission (EPM) The Mission will provide a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion, with a total outlay of Rs.25,060 crore for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31. EPM marks a strategic shift from multiple fragmented schemes to a single, outcome- based, and adaptive mechanism that can respond swiftly to global trade challenges and evolving exporter needs. The Mission will operate through two integrated sub-schemes: i. NIRYAT PROTSAHAN – focuses on improving access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs through a range of instruments such as interest subvention, export factoring, collateral guarantees, credit cards for e-commerce exporters, and credit enhancement support for diversification into new markets. ii. NIRYAT DISHA – focuses on non-financial enablers that enhance market readiness and competitiveness, including export quality and compliance support, assistance for international branding, packaging, and participation in trade fairs, export warehousing and logistics, inland transport reimbursements, and trade intelligence and capacity-building initiatives. The Mission is designed to directly address structural challenges that constrain Indian exports, including: • limited and expensive trade finance access, • high cost of compliance with international export standards, • inadequate export branding and fragmented market access, and • logistical disadvantages for exporters in interior and low-export-intensity regions. Under EPM, priority support will be extended to sectors impacted by recent global tariff escalations, such as textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products. The interventions will help sustain export orders, protect jobs, and support diversification into new geographies. 2. Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters has also been approved to provide 100% credit guarantee coverage by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for extending additional collateral free credit facilities up to Rs.20,000 crore to eligible exporters, including MSMEs. The Scheme is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian exporters and support diversification into new and emerging markets. 3. Trade Relief Measures :-The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also initiated trade relief measures for eligible affected exporters including provision for debt repayment moratorium and extension of tenor for export credit. 4. Leveraging Free Trade Agreements :-The Government aims for promotion of Export Diversification and has signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with several key trading partners. Government is working with all stakeholders to enable our exporters to better utilize the benefits of India’s FTAs with major markets such as Japan, Korea, UAE, Australia etc. and effectively utilize the opportunities that have been created with the recent concluded FTAs such as with the EFTA countries, UK, Oman and New Zealand. The Government has also recently concluded negotiations on an FTA with the European Union. ***** 2