India textile exporters face US competitiveness risk despite lower tariff

India’s 10% Section 301 tariff is lower than several rivals’, but tariff-rate quota exemptions for competing suppliers could erode its apparel edge. Emkay Research says the near-term export impact may be limited, with India-US trade negotiations critical.

— Filed Mon, 27 Jul, 2026, 14:22 IST · Source BL · Consumer & Economy · Updated

Indian textile and apparel exporters face a relative US competitiveness loss as rivals receive tariff-rate quota exemptions, despite India’s lower 10% Section 301 tariff. Emkay sees limited near-term overall export impact but flags trade-deal negotiations as crucial.

Why this matters

The signal extends the recent warning that US Section 301 tariffs put Indian apparel exporters’ sourcing edge at risk, adding that rival tariff-rate quota exemptions may blunt India’s lower tariff advantage.

Retail-company signals are accelerating, up 570250% QoQ.