Trump Imposes 27% Tariff on Indian Imports, Sparking Industry Reactions

Washington D.C. | New Delhi – In a sweeping move that reshapes global trade dynamics, US President Donald Trump has announced a 27 per cent tariff on imports from India.

The measure, part of a broader strategy to correct what President Trump describes as an imbalance in global trade, comes alongside a universal 10 per cent tariff on all imports to the American soil from 5 April, with an additional 17 per cent duty to be imposed from 10 April.

In a statement from the White House, Trump declared a national emergency, citing “a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships, disparate tariff rates, and non-tariff barriers,” which he argues have suppressed domestic wages and consumption.

“The post-war international economic system was based upon three incorrect assumptions: first, that if the United States led the world in liberalizing tariff and non-tariff barriers the rest of the world would follow; second, that such liberalization would ultimately result in more economic convergence and increased domestic consumption among U.S. trading partners converging towards the share in the United States; and third, that as a result, the United States would not accrue large and persistent goods trade deficits”

India’s Response and Ongoing Trade Negotiations

The central government reacted cautiously to the announcement. The Department of Commerce stated that it is closely examining the implications of the new tariffs and engaging with stakeholders, including exporters and industry representatives.

“The Department of Commerce is engaging with all stakeholders, including Indian industry representatives and exporters, to gather feedback on their assessment of the tariffs and analyze the situation. Keeping in view the vision of Viksit Bharat, the department is also studying potential opportunities that may arise due to this shift in US trade policy,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

The centre also stated that the discussions are underway between both the countrys’ trade teams to finalise a multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). “These negotiations encompass a broad range of issues, including supply chain integration, investment growth, and technology transfers,” the statement added.’

Challenges and Opportunities

Industry experts have voiced mixed reactions, acknowledging both challenges and opportunities arising from the tariff hike.

Anurag Awasthi, a policy specialist in semiconductors and critical electronics, emphasized the selective nature of the tariffs:

“Reciprocal tariffs have apparently been calculated based on trade deficits between the US and its trading partners. Semiconductors and some critical minerals have been exempted. This announcement is likely to trigger a realignment in global trade and a rerouting of manufacturing value chains. While 27 per cent tariffs are certainly high compared to the baseline 10 per cent, this also provides Indian companies an opportunity to integrate with the American manufacturing ecosystem. The overall GDP impact will be clearer after detailed studies. A Bilateral Trade Agreement catering to sectoral strengths could help iron out these wrinkles in the long run.”

Meanwhile, Paritosh Prajapati, CEO of GX Group, viewed the tariffs as both a challenge and a strategic opportunity.

“The 27 per cent tariff under a Trump-led trade agenda will impose a notable cost barrier on Indian hardware exports to the US. However, compared to other major Asian manufacturing hubs, India still holds a competitive edge due to its focus on scale, quality, and ‘Make in India’ incentives. At GX, we are accelerating into favorable, high-potential markets. Our Ping Communication acquisition allows us to expand in South America and Africa, targeting underserved markets with strong infrastructure demand.”

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Ashok Gupta, Chairman of Optiemus Infracom, sees an opportunity for India’s electronics industry:

“We believe the tariff announcement presents a competitive opportunity in electronics manufacturing. India has an advantage over other manufacturing hubs in terms of tariff rates. This difference could create a significant competitive edge, making India a preferred destination for global electronics manufacturing.”

Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director, HFCL, echoed a similar thought and said that tariffs should be seen as a catalyst, not a constraint.

“While tariffs challenge cost structures, they also push us to redefine our role in the global telecom supply chain. Instead of just assembling components, we must embed higher value—designing AI-driven solutions, patenting energy-efficient technologies, and exporting finished innovations aligned with global priorities like climate resilience. The telecom sector, for instance, can pivot to manufacturing advanced green infrastructure (e.g., solar-powered 5G Radios or Wi-Fi Solutions) or AI-optimized network tools that directly support US decarbonization and tech leadership goals. If we position India as a partner in solving global challenges, sector-specific tariff relief could follow, rewarding innovation over arbitrage.”

Sunil Kharbanda, Co-founder & Chief Revenue Officer of Trezix, pointed out the impact on the automotive sector:

“The 27 per cent ‘discounted’ reciprocal tariff on Indian automobile exports by the US signals a serious, though moderated, trade action. While it is lower than India’s 70 per cent tariff on US auto imports, it still places Indian exporters at a disadvantage compared to countries facing a 10 per cent baseline tariff. Indian auto exports to the US are valued at over $1.5 billion annually, and this move could lead to a $400–500 million impact through reduced price competitiveness and thinner margins. The decision may pressure India to reassess its own tariff structures and push exporters to diversify markets.”

ICEA Calls for Urgent Push on Bilateral Trade Agreement

The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) issued a statement acknowledging the tariff decision and highlighting India’s favorable position compared to competitors like China and Vietnam.

Under the new tariffs, India will face a 27 per cent duty, whereas China’s cumulative tariffs, including past actions, range from 54 per cent to 154 per cent, and Vietnam faces 46 per cent. This positions India more favorably in the global electronics export sector.

Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA, stressed the importance of finalizing a Bilateral Trade Agreement. He said:

“India’s strategic placement in the first round of reciprocal tariffs underscores the relentless efforts made by our negotiators. Compared to China and Vietnam, we are in a relatively better position, but the real long-term benefit lies in concluding a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement. The ongoing ‘Mission 500’ aims to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, making a stable tariff framework and supply-chain integration essential. Successfully finalizing the BTA could unlock a $100 billion electronics trade potential and reinforce India’s role in global electronics manufacturing.”

ICEA also highlighted India’s recent milestone of exporting $10 billion worth of electronics to American soil in FY 2023-24. The association projects this figure could rise to $80 billion annually in the coming years, provided a conducive tariff regime and trade policies are in place.

The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration mark a significant shift in US-India trade relations. While the immediate impact remains to be fully assessed, industry leaders and policymakers are urging swift trade negotiations to mitigate potential economic disruptions.

As global supply chains adjust to these new trade policies, India’s manufacturing sector will need to position itself strategically to leverage emerging opportunities while navigating potential challenges in the evolving trade landscape.