In a significant development for Indian gem and jewellery exporters, a US Federal court has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, which were set to substantially increase duties on imported goods, including jewellery. The ruling has been welcomed by the industry, which had been preparing for tariff increases from 6% to as high as 26%.

The Court of International Trade in Manhattan deemed the executive orders issued on April 2 as “unlawful.” These orders aimed to implement a 10% baseline tariff on most US imports, with even steeper rates for countries with substantial trade surpluses — including China, the European Union, and initially, India. The 26% tariff targeting Indian gem and jewellery exports was scheduled to take effect on April 9 but had been postponed to July 9 due to ongoing legal challenges.

According to a newspaper report, the proposed tariff hike would have had a severe financial impact on exporters. Jewellery manufacturers operating in SEEPZ, which account for 64% of India’s $3.5 billion in annual jewellery shipments to the US, would have seen upfront duties per million-dollar consignment jump from $60,000 to $320,000. This would have further strained their cash flows at a time when global demand remains weak.

While the court’s decision does not address all of the industry’s challenges, it provides crucial temporary relief and highlights the need for consistent trade policies to support India’s standing in the global gem and jewellery market.