logo
US tariff, discount demands threaten Indian exporters' profit margins

US tariff, discount demands threaten Indian exporters' profit margins

Textile exporters from hubs like Tiruppur have indicated that buyers in the US are making a pitch for high discounts, urging Indian manufacturers to shoulder part of the financial strain of tariffs
Shine Jacob Chennai
Listen to This Article
The profit margins of Indian companies are in danger of being hit by the 25 per cent tariff on exports to the United States (US) and possible discounts to boot.
Textile exporters from hubs like Tiruppur have indicated that buyers in the US are making a pitch for high discounts, urging Indian manufacturers to shoulder part of the financial strain of tariffs.
This is considering the fact that the average margin Indian exporters have for volume products is as low as 5 per cent, while that of fashion products is around 20 per cent.
Major US brands that source from
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Modi's Swadeshi push amid global uncertainty
Modi's Swadeshi push amid global uncertainty

Hans India

time27 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Modi's Swadeshi push amid global uncertainty

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi onSaturday called on citizens to adopt the spirit of "Swadeshi" and support locally-made products, stressing that true service to the nation lies in promoting indigenous goods, especially amid "global economic uncertainties". Addressing a public meeting in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, Modi said, "As we talk about economic progress, I want to draw your attention to the current global scenario. "The world economy is facing instability and uncertainty. In such times, countries are focusing solely on their own interests. India, too, is on the path to becoming the world's third-largest economy and must remain alert to its own economic priorities." The Prime Minister's renewed push for 'Swadeshi' (indigenous) comes amid the US announcing tariffs on exports from about 70 nations, including India. According to the White House order, India now faces tariffs of 25 per cent for its exports to the US. Emphasising that farmers, small industries and employment for youths are the top-most priorities for the government, Modi said, "The government is doing everything possible in this direction. But as citizens, we too have responsibilities." Calling for a national movement to support local products, the Prime Minister said, "This is not just about Modi saying it, every Indian should say this -- if we want India to become the third-largest economy, every political party and every leader, keeping aside their hesitations, must work in the nation's interest and awaken the spirit of Swadeshi among the people." He also urged people to be conscious consumers, saying, "Whatever we buy, we should ask ourselves -- has an Indian toiled to make this? If it has been made by the sweat of our people, with their skills, that product is Swadeshi for us. We must adopt the mantra of 'Vocal for Local'." Making a special appeal to traders and shopkeepers, the Prime Minister said, "At a time when the world is going through uncertainty, let us take a pledge to sell only Swadeshi goods from our shops and markets. Promoting made in India goods will be the truest service to the country." With the festival and wedding seasons approaching, the prime minister encouraged people to ensure that all new purchases are made in India. He recalled how many citizens who were planning to hold wedding events abroad shifted them to India after his earlier appeal. "The feeling of Swadeshi in every action will define our future. This will also be a true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Only through collective effort can we fulfil the dream of a developed India," Modi said. The prime minister was addressing a massive public gathering on Saturday in Banauli village, Sevapuri, Varanasi. During his one-day visit to the city, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 52 projects worth around Rs 2,200 crore. He also transferred Rs 20,500 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.70 crore farmers under the 20th installment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme. A short film showcasing the success and impact of the scheme on farmers was also screened during the event. The PM highlighted the government's farmer-centric policies in detail. He said the government is constantly working for the well-being of farmers. Under previous governments, promises made in the name of farmers were rarely fulfilled, but the BJP government delivers what it promises, he said. He cited the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi as proof of the government's firm commitment and recalled how opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party and Congress had spread rumours in 2019, claiming the scheme would stop after elections or the money would be taken back. "Has a single installment stopped over the years? The PM-KISAN scheme is running without any break," he said. Presenting data, he shared that nearly Rs 3.75 lakh crore has been transferred directly to farmers' accounts so far. In Uttar Pradesh alone, 2.5 crore farmers have received over Rs 90,000 crore, while farmers from Kashi have got Rs 900 crore. Modi emphasised the transparency of the scheme, saying there are no cuts, commissions or middlemen. "We have created a permanent system where there's no leakage and no one can steal the rights of the poor," he added. Referring to his development mantra, "the more backward someone is, the higher the priority", the PM spoke about the newly approved PM Dhan Dhanya Agriculture Scheme, which will focus on underdeveloped districts with lower crop production and income.

‘It's worse in the US': American woman explains why Indian education is more affordable
‘It's worse in the US': American woman explains why Indian education is more affordable

Hindustan Times

time27 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

‘It's worse in the US': American woman explains why Indian education is more affordable

An American woman who has been living in India for the past four years has sparked an online discussion after sharing a detailed comparison highlighting the cost differences between education in India and the United States. Kristen Fischer, who regularly posts on Instagram, shared a video in which she expressed her surprise at how frequently people question her claim that India offers significantly more affordable education. An American woman compared education costs in India and the US.(Instagram/kristenfischer3) (Also read: 'No place is perfect': US woman in India shares what she admires and dislikes about life here) Breaking down the numbers In the video, Fischer stated, "I'm actually surprised that people have doubts when I bring up the fact that India has low-cost education. So, let's break it down, shall we?" She went on to explain that even after accounting for the salary differences between the two countries, India remains significantly more affordable in terms of education. "In India, the median annual salary is 3.3 lakh, and in the US, it's 41 lakh. Public college tuition in India ranges from 10,000 to 50,000 rupees per year, which is about 3 to 15 percent of the annual salary. But in the US, public college tuition ranges between 10 to 26 lakh per year, which accounts for 23 to 63 percent of the annual income," she added. She concluded by saying, "Education is just crazy expensive in America. That's why most people can't afford to pay for college on their own and have to take out loans. Looking at these two numbers, it's easy to see that education really is lower cost in India. " Caption adds more perspective The caption accompanying the video read, 'India has very affordable education and here is why. I have only used one example here and that is public college tuition. But honestly, all forms of education are far cheaper in India compared to the USA.' She continued, 'I am surprised when people give me pushback when I say that education in India is low-cost. The cost of a college education in America has gotten out of hand recently. It is nearly impossible to go through college without a loan anymore. India makes education more affordable and therefore, more may think college is expensive in India. But trust me, it is worse in the USA.' Take a look here at the video: Social media reacts The clip has garnered more than 47k views and prompted a flurry of reactions from users, many of whom appreciated Fischer's balanced perspective. One user commented, 'Mam you are showing good things about India, thank you so much. In international countries nobody talks about good things, they just see fake or wrong roadside food videos and assume that's India.' Another wrote, 'You're absolutely right.' A user added, 'Thank you for explaining this. The world wouldn't believe it if an Indian said it, but when it comes from you, it speaks volumes and densities.' Another shared, 'Kristen, your explanation is a game-changer for many students.'

Indian diplomats' parking, congestion charge fines top £9.2 million in London
Indian diplomats' parking, congestion charge fines top £9.2 million in London

The Hindu

time27 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Indian diplomats' parking, congestion charge fines top £9.2 million in London

Even as India concluded a trade deal with the United Kingdom, Indian diplomatic vehicles have racked up almost £10 million (₹115.8 crore) in unpaid dues and penalties for London's congestion charge, a £15 daily fee applicable to all vehicles driving in parts of the British capital. At last count, in November 2024, according to a Parliamentary statement, Indian diplomatic vehicles owed £9,141,875 in penalty charge notices. 'We have been clear that the Congestion Charge is a charge for a service and not a form of tax that diplomats are exempt from paying,' Transport for London chief customer and strategy officer Alex Williams said in a letter to Indian High Commissioner Vikram Kumar Doraiswami last August. The letter was provided to The Hindu in response to a request under the U.K.'s Freedom of Information Act, 2000. While many diplomatic missions in London pay the fee, India, the U.S., and Japan have deemed the charge a tax, which diplomats are immune from paying under Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In a subsequent letter in November, Mr. Williams said that 'there are no legal grounds to exempt diplomatic missions and international organisations from the Congestion Charge, which [the U.K. Foreign Office views] as comparable to a parking fee or toll charge that they are required to pay.' TfL said in response to the FOI request that the Indian high commission has not responded to the letter. The Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to a query on the letters. Aside from this, the U.K. also charges so-called National Non-Domestic Rates from commercial properties and diplomatic missions. As of November, India had an outstanding NNDR beneficial payment of £99,385. Unpaid parking fines were also recorded that amounted to £13,964. This information was provided to the U.K. Parliament by Catherine West, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific. While the fees have been reiterated through diplomatic channels, they have not presented a serious obstacle to U.K.–India trade talks, which concluded with the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement that was signed on July 24.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store