Amidst all the buzz about the 25% tariff that US President Donald Trump slapped on Indian goods back in July, things got even spicier with another 25% hike announced on August 6th—set to kick in on August 27th. Let’s chill and dive into the trade vibes between India and the US, and check out what’s really on the line.
India shipped out a whopping $91.23 billion worth of goods to the US in 2024. That’s about 18% of our total exports, which hit $434.44 billion overall. No surprise—the US is our biggest playground for selling stuff. Just compare it to our second-fave spot, the UAE, where we only sent $37.10 billion. Yeah, we can’t just brush off the US; it’s where the big bucks roll in.
Now, zooming in on the US side: They imported a massive $3.36 trillion in goods last year, and India chipped in about 2.8% of that. Oh, and Trump’s buddy Pakistan? They managed $5.47 billion—kinda lost in the shuffle amid all the talk of US cozying up to them. I had to hunt through the list to spot ’em. The real heavy hitters are Mexico, China, and Canada, teaming up to send over $1.393 trillion. India? We’re hanging out at 10th place—not too shabby.
Our top exports to the US? Think electrical and electronic gear, pearls, precious stones, coins, and pharma goodies, adding up to around $30.2 billion. And here’s a fun one: Next time you’re at the salon getting a trim, remember that human hair (plus wool and other animal fuzz) gets turned into wigs. India cashed in $19.58 million—or about Rs. 171.79 crores—by exporting that stuff. Who knew hair could be such a goldmine?