The sudden rise in US duties on Indian garments has created a real‑world lesson in how trade policy can reshape business strategies. For companies that rely heavily on a single market, the risk is now very visible.

Founder Sudhir Dhingra of Orient Craft said US tariffs on Indian garments rose to as much as 50% in 2025, prompting US buyers to cancel orders or ask for discounts. He added that the higher duties made the US market too risky for his factory.

Orient Craft has reduced its US sales share from 84% to less than 10% and redirected exports toward Britain, Europe and India, according to the company’s recent figures. This shift has helped keep the factory’s annual exports around 1.5 billion rupees despite the tariff shock.

Managing Director Sivaramkrishnan Ganapathi of Gokaldas Exports said the firm aims to raise Europe’s revenue share to 25‑30% and cut the US share to 35‑40% over the next three to five years. The plan marks a clear move away from the United States, which previously accounted for about half of its sales.

Data from the Global Trade Research Institute show that India’s textile, apparel and home‑furnishings exports to the US fell 9.8% while shipments to other markets rose 3.7% between April and August. Chandrima Chatterjee, secretary general of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, said diversification is becoming a structural strategy for exporters heavily exposed to the US market.