Exporters Urged to Seek New Markets, Standards
New Delhi: India’s government called on exporters to elevate product quality, align with global standards, diversify supply chains, and seek new markets to counter escalating global tariffs, particularly a 50% tariff hike by the United States, during a high-level meeting in New Delhi on September 3, 2025. Chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, the discussions addressed the growing threat to Indian exports and outlined strategies to maintain competitiveness in a shifting trade landscape.
The term “global tariffs” refers to taxes imposed by importing nations, such as the recent United States tariff increase to 50% on Indian goods effective August 27, 2025, impacting $48 billion in exports, according to ministry data. These barriers challenge sectors like textiles and pharmaceuticals, prompting the government to push for adaptive measures. The meeting, attended by representatives from Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Industry Associations, senior officials from the Department of Commerce, and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), focused on recent tariff hikes and their effects on Indian goods in key international markets.
Goyal emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting exporters, stating, “The Government is actively engaged in creating an enabling environment to help exporters navigate recent challenges.” He urged, “Exporters must upgrade product quality, align with global standards, diversify supply chains, and explore alternate markets,” highlighting new opportunities in countries like the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Russia. The minister pointed to ongoing efforts for long-term solutions, including ease of doing business initiatives and targeted trade support to mitigate tariff impacts.
Industry representatives raised sector-specific concerns, noting that tariffs erode competitiveness in markets like the United States, which saw Indian exports rise 19.94% to $8.01 billion in July 2025. “The 50% tariff hike is a major hurdle, especially for labour-intensive sectors like textiles and leather,” said Ashok Mehra, a spokesperson for the Apparel Export Promotion Council. Sectors including Textiles, Apparel, Engineering, Gems and Jewellery, Leather, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, and Services reported challenges in meeting stringent quality standards and absorbing higher costs. They welcomed the government’s engagement, pledging support to enhance India’s trade resilience.
The discussions underscored the need for sector-specific interventions, such as subsidies for technology upgrades and market access programs. Goyal highlighted India’s long-term goal to strengthen domestic manufacturing and boost exports, stating, “There was a broad consensus on the need for alternative mechanisms, with the Government committed to addressing sectoral concerns and driving sustained export growth.” The ministry is exploring outreach programs in 40 countries to diversify markets, following a 7.29% export rebound to $37.24 billion in July 2025, despite a $94.81 billion trade deficit from April to July 2025-26.
India’s export strategy faces significant hurdles. Upgrading to global standards requires costly certifications, which small exporters struggle to afford, per 2024 Federation of Indian Export Organisations data. Diversifying supply chains demands robust logistics, while new markets require navigating complex trade agreements. The United States’ tariffs, described as a response to India’s “tremendously high tariffs”, highlight reciprocal trade tensions, complicating bilateral talks for a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement expected by November 2025.
The meeting reflects India’s proactive stance amid a global trade shift, with the government leveraging its third-largest export market status to push for resilience. However, unverified details, such as the meeting’s outcomes and specific tariff impacts, underscore the need for swift policy execution to sustain India’s export growth in a challenging environment.
– global bihari bureau
