Tamil Nadu is facing a major economic and humanitarian challenge due to the US imposing 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports. Chief Minister M K Stalin has sought intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the issue.
The tariffs have severely damaged the state’s textile, apparel, and leather industries, leading to losses of around Rs 15,000 crore in orders. This has put lakhs of jobs at risk, especially for women workers. In Tirupur, known as India’s knitwear hub, exporters have seen confirmed orders vanish and have been forced to cut production by up to 30 per cent. New orders are also declining sharply.
Districts such as Tirupur, Coimbatore, Erode, and Karur are losing about Rs 60 crore in revenue every day, pushing many small and medium businesses toward collapse. The footwear clusters in Vellore, Ranipet, and Tirupatthur are facing similar struggles. Exporters are being forced to give heavy discounts to retain customers, which reduces their competitiveness and profitability.
The situation has already led to layoffs and delayed wages, threatening the stability of entire communities. International buyers are shifting their orders to countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Cambodia, which currently enjoy tariff advantages. Once these supply chains move, it will be very difficult for Indian exporters to win them back.
The Chief Minister has urged the Central government to resolve the tariff issue through a bilateral agreement as soon as possible. A quick solution is needed he stressed, to help revive exporters, protect jobs, and strengthen India’s reputation as a dependable global manufacturing hub.
