Trump’s tariffs: Bengal to be among hardest-hit in terms of exports
The Statesman | 29 August 2025
The 50 per cent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on most US imports from India, came into effect on Wednesday.
The tariffs could inflict significant damage on the Indian economy and further disrupt global supply chains.
Exporters said shipments and even production are currently on hold. According to trade estimates, the move will impact at least Rs 45,000 crore worth of Indian exports, with Bengal among the hardest-hit states.
The state’s labour-intensive leather, engineering and marine sectors are expecting losses ahead of the festive season.
Bengal accounts for 12 per cent of India’s seafood exports, dominated by prawn varieties cultivated in North and South 24-Parganas and East Midnapore district.
Experts also predict that out of the current total exports of Rs 8,000 crore to the USA from West Bengal, marine shipments worth at least Rs 5,000-6,000 crore from the state could be directly hit.
The Bengal leather industry also faces the brunt of the increased levies, with the USA among its largest buyers.
Kolkata is one of the country’s largest leather goods hubs and West Bengal accounts for nearly half of India’s leather exports, valued at Rs 5,000-6,000 crore annually, with about 20 per cent going to the USA.
With competing countries in South-East Asia facing around 20 per cent US tariffs, compared to the 50 per cent India now faces, experts warned that it would kill Indian leather exports to the USA.
The footwear category is expected to be hit the hardest, as it makes up of 40 per cent of global leather exports.
The state’s engineering goods sector is also vulnerable. According to stakeholders, the US accounts for about $ 20-21 billion of India’s engineering exports, of which nearly $ 1 billion goes from West Bengal.
US President Donald Trump had imposed the additional 25 per cent tariffs, on top of 25 per cent ‘reciprocal tariffs imposed earlier, accusing India of indirectly funding Russia’s war against Ukraine through its purchases of Russian crude oil.