US Supreme Court Tariff Ruling: India Now at 10%

US Supreme Court Setback Forces 10% Tariff Reset: What It Means for Indian Employers and Job Seekers

Category : Jobseekers, Employers, General, Interview

The United States has imposed a uniform 10 percent tariff on imports after the US Supreme Court struck down former President Donald Trump’s broader tariff powers under the 1977 emergency law. The ruling effectively blocks the President from using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose sweeping country specific duties.

As a result, countries including India will now face a flat 10 percent duty instead of the previously negotiated 18 percent tariff under the interim India US trade framework. The new rate takes effect from February 24 and will remain in force for 150 days. Certain sectors such as pharmaceuticals and goods under the US Mexico Canada trade agreement remain exempt.

Trump has said the India deal is still on and that trade relations remain strong. However, this shift creates uncertainty for exporters and businesses that had structured pricing around earlier tariff agreements.

Why This Matters for Indian Employers

For Indian SMEs and exporters:

Lower tariff from 18 percent to 10 percent improves cost competitiveness in the US market.
Export oriented manufacturing companies may see better margins.
Short term uncertainty may affect new contracts.

Industries such as textiles, auto components, IT hardware, and manufacturing stand to benefit from reduced duty pressure.

If you are hiring for export operations, logistics, international sales, compliance, or supply chain management, this is the right time to scale teams strategically.

SearchTalents can support employers by connecting them with:

International trade specialists
Supply chain managers
Export documentation executives
Finance and compliance professionals

Impact on Students and Job Seekers

Students in fields like:

International Business
Supply Chain Management
Economics
Logistics
Trade Law

should pay attention.

Trade volatility increases demand for professionals who understand global compliance, tariff structures, and cross border regulations. This creates career opportunities in: