US Tariff on India Triggers Layoff Warning

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday issued a measured response to the tariff situation.

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"The US and India partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in New Delhi. He added that the two countries "share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties".

Fear of layoffs Indian apparel exporters raised the alarm on Friday, warning that the 25 per cent tariff imposed by the United States may result in "mass layoffs" in manufacturing units, and appealed to the government to intervene. "Exporters have their backs against the wall and will have to sell below cost to keep their factories running and avoid mass layoffs," said Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).