2 mn jobs at risk in apparel mfg sector

THE Indian apparel and textile industry is facing a potential crisis with the latest tariff rates announced by the U.S. government, which industry leaders warn could lead to over 2 million job losses and a significant downturn for the sector.

- DIPAK MONDAL @ New Delhi

The new US tariff rate for India has been set at 25%, placing it at a significant disadvantage against major competitors like Bangladesh and Vietnam, which have been placed in lower tariff brackets of 20%. Indonesia and Cambodia have an even lower rate of 19%. The Indian apparel industry was comfortably placed with the originally announced reciprocal tariff structure as it enjoyed tariff advantage vis- à-vis major competitor countries. The liberation day tariff announced originally by the Trump administration against India was 26% whereas it was 37% against Bangladesh, 46% against Vietnam, 44% against Sr