Bengaluru leather exporters reel under Trump tariff, await Centre relief

Bengaluru’s leather exporters are under severe strain following the onset of former US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India.

- Aamir Sohail | NT

On Wednesday, August 27, Trump’s 50% tariffs on goods from India came into effect. A month later, the consequences have been enormous for companies in Bengaluru.

Exporters and manufacturers have been faced with difficult choices. According to sources, large firms have laid off swathes of workers, while smaller companies that do not export to the US are absorbing the skilled workforce as they continue their business as usual. A report by the Council of Leather Exports notes that about 4.42 million people are employed in the industry, a majority of them from weaker sections of society.

The owners of export companies are also staring at steep revenue declines. “Previously we were exporting about Rs 1.5 crore to 2 crore of leather articles, but now everything has stopped because of the tariffs,” said Fayaz Ahmed, CEO of Rialzo Leathers.