The Trump administration’s 50 percent tariff on Indian exports has sent shockwaves through India’s textile industry. From Surat to Tiruppur to Noida, production has been affected in several factories, putting the jobs of nearly 10 lakh workers at risk in Noida alone.

Exporters say American buyers have stopped placing new orders, while existing consignments are being forced through with 20 percent discounts just to maintain trade relationships. Some factories have already sent more than half their workers home on unpaid leave.

The bigger worry? Rivals like Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam face smaller tariffs, meaning they could easily replace India in the US market. For artisans from places like Rae Bareli and Kanpur, whose hand embroidery feeds into Noida’s factories, the impact is equally devastating.

Watch.