The United States has increased tariffs on Indian imports up to 50% as planned, affecting a wide range of products like garments, jewelry, and shrimp.
While sectors such as smartphones, pharmaceuticals, and energy are spared from these tariffs, industries like gems, textiles, and certain auto components—which are significant Indian exports to the U.S.—will face the full impact of President Donald Trump’s trade policies in their most important foreign market.
Here are some of India’s top exports to the U.S.
GEMS AND JEWELRY The U.S. is the primary market for Indian gems and jewelry, accounting for $10 billion last year, nearly 30% of the sector’s global trade.
In Surat, India, where over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds are processed, U.S. tariffs are causing a decline in orders, affecting buyer confidence.
While smaller exporters have limited options to mitigate the impact, larger companies are considering relocating operations to countries like Botswana, which face a 15% tariff.
SHRIMP
Shrimp farmers are considering diversifying their businesses as high tariffs have caused a halt in orders. The U.S. is the largest market for Indian shrimp, with clients like Walmart and Kroger.
In the previous year, Indian seafood exports to the U.S. reached $2.6 billion, with shrimp making up 40%.
SMARTPHONES
Apple Inc suppliers such as Tata Electronics, Wistron Infocomm, Foxconn, and Pegatron Corp are leading exporters, shipping nearly $7 billion worth of smartphones and other products in 2024.
From January to June, exports totaled $11 billion, according to customs data. Smartphones are free from tariffs, benefiting Apple as it prepares to release the next iPhone model. Apple has expanded manufacturing in India, shifting from China, so most iPhones sold in the U.S. are now made in India.
PHARMACEUTICALS
Major pharmaceutical exporters like Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Zydus Lifesciences, Hetero Labs, Lupin, Aurobindo Pharma, and Sun Pharmaceutical shipped $3.6 billion worth of goods to the U.S. last year and $3.7 billion in the first half of this year. This sector is tariff-exempt since generic medicines are vital for affordable healthcare.
TEXTILES
Leading apparel and textile exporters include Shahi Exports, Welspun, Indo Count Industries, Trident, and Gokaldas Exports.
These companies exported over $2 billion in 2024 and $1 billion in the first half of 2025 to U.S. clients like Walmart, Target, Costco, and Gap.
AUTO COMPONENTS
The auto component industry, experiencing rapid growth, considers the U.S. its largest market.
In 2024, exports of auto components to the U.S. reached $6.6 billion, with over $3.5 billion for cars and small trucks facing a 25% tariff, not 50%. Major exporters include Sona Comstar and Samvardhan Motherson.
Exports of components for commercial vehicles like large trucks and agricultural equipment, worth about $3 billion, will incur a 50% tariff. Bharat Forge, serving clients such as Caterpillar, Volvo, and John Deere, is one of the top exporters in this segment.
ENERGY AND RENEWABLES
Manufacturers of solar equipment, including cells and wind turbines, have substantial exports to the U.S. and are exempt from tariffs.
Companies like Reliance Industries, Waaree Energies, Schneider Electric, GE Power, LM Wind Power, and Mundra Solar—a unit of Adani Group—are leading exporters of energy and renewable equipment.
