Trump Tariffs Hit Kashmir's Centuries-Old Christmas Craft Industry Hard

• Kashmir's centuries-old papier-mâché industry faces an unprecedented slump this festive season due to falling international orders and declining local demand.
• US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have sharply curtailed exports, especially to the US, Kashmir's largest market for Christmas crafts.
• Sales are down nearly 40%, with many traditional Christmas items remaining unsold; exporters report widespread cancellations from the US and UK.
• Artisans like Akhtar Mir, whose family has practiced the craft for generations, are worried about their livelihoods due to lack of orders.
• The decline in tourism following the Pahalgam attack further compounds challenges, impacting local sales and threatening 500,000-700,000 artisan jobs across India.

Why It Matters: Trump-era US tariffs and reduced tourism are severely impacting Kashmir's traditional Christmas craft industry.