by Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
SRINAGAR: Carpet manufacturers in Kashmir have sounded the alarm over the steep tariff hike imposed by the United States, warning that the move could cripple the already fragile handicrafts sector.
The decision by US President Donald Trump to raise tariffs on Indian merchandise has triggered widespread unease in Kashmir’s weaving community. With the new regime, Kashmiri carpets now attract a 52.9 per cent duty in the American market, up from just 2.9 per cent earlier. Exporters fear the sharp rise will make the hand-knotted rugs unaffordable for buyers in the United States, a country that has long remained their most dependable market.
Yaqub Bafandar, who heads the Kashmir Heritage Corporation with units in Srinagar and surrounding villages, said the tariff would directly hit both production and sales. He explained that about 60 workers were employed in his business, with as many families dependent on it for survival.
“Actually, in fact, there will be a lot of problems in this regard. The tariff increase is going to affect our business in a lot of ways,” Bafandar told Kashmir Life. He said that if a carpet worth one lakh rupees ended up costing one lakh twenty-five thousand after tariffs, buyers would turn away.
According to him, the situation was already precarious. He warned that 95 per cent of the business had collapsed, with barely 5 to 10 per cent of the market remaining. The new duty, he feared, could wipe out what little was left.
Bafandar’s production units were spread across Srinagar and villages in Sonawari, Baramulla and Bandipora. He said that while many in the trade hesitated to speak publicly, the distress was severe. One of his colleagues in the industry explained that their demand was simple: the tariff needed to be reduced, otherwise deals could not be struck and the craft would not endure.
Kashmir’s carpet industry, once a flourishing export earner and a vital expression of cultural identity, has been shrinking steadily for more than a decade. The sector has faced a convergence of difficulties, from shrinking international markets and fierce competition to policy challenges that artisans say have eroded their livelihoods. The latest tariff hike, traders fear, may deepen the crisis and push thousands of artisans further into poverty.
Carpet weaving holds a place of distinction among Kashmiri handicrafts. The craft was introduced in the early 1600s by Akhun Rehnuma, a Kashmiri saint who, returning from a pilgrimage to Makkah, brought tools from Persia and taught the art locally. Since then, Kashmiri carpets have been prized worldwide for their distinctive weave and intricate designs, admired by collectors and buyers across continents.
Today, however, that legacy stands at risk. Artisans warn that without relief from the crushing tariffs, the centuries-old craft may lose its foothold in its most crucial market.
