Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has assured exporters and Indian businesses that the government is actively engaging with the United States to remove the 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs imposed on India. Speaking at the Rising Bharat Summit and after a high-level meeting with export promotion councils (EPCs), Goyal emphasized that there is no need for panic and that solutions are being “explored in a proactive manner.”
Continued Engagement with US Officials
Goyal reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade ties with the US, stating that the current tariff measures had not accounted for the progress made in ongoing trade negotiations. “We believe that India was not one of those countries which really needed to have tariffs on them… but the US has not differentiated,” he said, adding that the government would continue engaging with Washington to secure relief from the additional levies.
Also read: Tariff Relief Opens Trade Talks Window: Exporters
Exporters Advised Against Re-routing Trade
During the meeting with EPCs, the minister advised exporters not to route shipments through countries that enjoy lower reciprocal tariffs to avoid any misuse or perception of circumvention. Sources told Business Standard that exporters were also cautioned against allowing India to be used as a conduit by other nations.
Industry Support and Export Growth Recognised
Despite the new trade challenges, Goyal praised the resilience of India’s export sector, which achieved a record high of over $820 billion in FY25, marking nearly 6 per cent growth. He noted that most industry representatives remain optimistic and see the current situation as an opportunity for deeper cooperation with the US.
“Except one or two, most exporters are very excited. They see good potential going forward. They are supporting our engagement with the US. Together, we will convert them into a great opportunity,” Goyal added.
