The extra US tariffs on its imports from China in the ongoing trade war have opened a window of opportunity for India to push for higher exports in 171 items — ranging from textiles to marine products — with additional outbound shipment potential of up to $8.7 billion a year, according to a latest commerce ministry study. The Trump administration has announced extra levy of up to 25% on $250-billion Chinese supplies in two phases, which will make scores of Indian products more competitive than China’s in the US market. However, the greater export opportunity can be exploited by India’s competitors as well, including Vietnam and even Bangladesh. The commerce ministry has already conducted a similar study to assess potential for higher exports to China following the trade tussles between the top two economies. Of the American goods on which Beijing has imposed extra duties in the range of 15-25%, India can ship out more in case of 44 items without much difficulty, as it currently has access to the Chinese market in these products.

(Financial Express)