Shri Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), and Shri Vijay Agarwal, Chairman of TEXPROCIL, met with the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, in the capital to discuss growing concerns over the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.
The high-level meeting follows recent developments indicating that the US may impose reciprocal tariffs of up to 26% after the July 9 deadline—a move that could significantly impact India’s textile and apparel exports, especially to its key market, the United States.
During the meeting, the Chairmen raised red flags about the implications for labour-intensive sectors, particularly apparel and home textiles, which form a major chunk of India’s export earnings and employment—especially in MSMEs and rural clusters. A hike in tariffs could lead to a sharp dip in exports and substantial job losses, they warned.
Minister Piyush Goyal assured the delegation that the Government is fully committed to protecting the interests of vulnerable export sectors and that the ongoing negotiations will prioritize the sustainability and competitiveness of the Indian textile industry.
The meeting reflects the Government’s proactive engagement with stakeholders as it navigates evolving global trade dynamics to safeguard India’s economic and employment interests.
