Exports brave US tariffs, global churn to log rise

Despite headwinds

- Rajeev Jayaswal

Defying global headwinds and hefty US tariffs, India's merchandise exports increased 1.9% to $38.51 billion in December from $37.8 billion a year earlier, and 2.44% to $330.29 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2026, which was primarily driven by double-digit export growth in key markets such as China, the US and the UAE, according to data released on Thursday.

"Despite global trade turmoil, merchandise exports in December have grown by 1.86% from $37.8 billion to $38.51 billion," commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Thursday while releasing trade data for December and the nine-month period.