Hobbled by US tariffs, carpet weavers struggle to stay afloat

Indian carpet and handicraft exports fell more than 16% in September from a year earlier, according to data from the trade ministry, forcing small manufacturers to cut jobs and shelve expansion plans

- REUTERS

Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, a former carpet weaver in Jammu and Kashmir region, now sells tea on the shores of the scenic Dal Lake, abandoning his craft of 35 years after increased US tariffs left him unable to afford his children’s school fees and medicine

for his family of six.

Thousands of Indian artisans and weavers have been battered by US President Donald Trump’s move in August to double tariffs to 50% on Indian goods. Bhat, 49, hired a weaver to finish his last carpet before he laid down his tools.

“This profession is dying,” he told Reuters, days before he switched occupations.