India’s textile and apparel exporters are expecting a revival in long-pending export orders from the United States following the recently concluded India–US trade pact, which lowered U.S. tariffs and improved cost competitiveness for Indian suppliers.
Industry executives said several U.S. buyers had put fresh orders on hold over the past year due to elevated tariffs and pricing uncertainty. With reciprocal duties now reset to 18%, exporters believe negotiations that had stalled are likely to move forward quickly, particularly in garments, home textiles and made-ups.
Textile hubs such as Tiruppur, Surat, Ludhiana and Noida are already seeing renewed enquiries from American retailers, according to exporter associations. Companies say the tariff cut narrows the price gap with competitors such as Bangladesh and Vietnam, helping Indian manufacturers regain lost ground in the U.S. market.
“Many buyers had deferred contracts while waiting for clarity on tariffs. The trade deal provides that certainty, and discussions to restart shipments have begun,” said a senior exporter from Tiruppur.
The United States remains India’s largest textile and apparel export destination, accounting for nearly a third of overseas shipments. However, exports had come under pressure in recent quarters due to higher duties, weak global demand and rising input costs.
Industry bodies expect the impact of the trade pact to be visible over the next two quarters , with exporters focusing on clearing backlogged orders and ramping up production ahead of the summer and holiday retail seasons in the U.S.
While exporters cautioned that demand recovery will depend on global retail trends, they said the tariff reset offers a timely boost and restores confidence among U.S. buyers considering long-term sourcing commitments from India.
