India Exporters Face US Order Loss Amid Trade Deal Stalemate

• Indian exporters risk losing US summer shopping season orders if a trade deal isn't sealed by January.
• Punitive 50% US tariffs since August have already impacted winter and Christmas 2025 orders for labor-intensive sectors like textiles and leather.
• Despite multiple talks between Trump and Modi, slow progress has led to production cuts, layoffs, and $5 billion government aid to protect exporters.
• Exporters are diversifying markets, offering discounts, and exploring manufacturing shifts to countries like UAE, Kenya, and Ethiopia to mitigate losses.
• Key figures like Rafeeque Ahmed (Farida Group) and Gautam Nair (Matrix Design) warn of severe financial repercussions and a potential 'washout' for the first half of 2026.

Why It Matters: Delayed US-India trade deal and tariffs threaten Indian exporters, forcing market diversification and production shifts.