India holds over 60% share in key US imports like cumin, lab-grown diamonds, carpets and table linen

The 25 percent tariff plus penalty imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods is set to impact a wide array of US businesses from restaurant chains to jewellery brands and home furnishing retailers.

In 2024, India accounted for 92 percent of US cumin imports, a spice used extensively in Indian restaurants and fast-casual food chains like Chipotle. The same level of dependency exists in lab-grown diamonds, a fast-growing segment in the US jewellery market. Companies like Brilliant Earth, which emphasise sustainable sourcing, are particularly exposed.

“What does it mean to be ‘planet first’ at Brilliant Earth? By completing every step of our proprietary lab-grown diamond process in Gujarat, India, we’re able to minimise emissions and leverage advanced traceability technology,” the company states on its website.

The reliance extends beyond food and jewellery. India supplied 83 percent of rugs and carpets and 73 percent of table linen imported by the US in 2024, according to a Moneycontrol analysis. In total, the US depended on India for over 60 percent of its imports in more than $3 billion worth of goods.

While India’s dominance in certain categories is clear, even in segments where its market share is smaller, replacing Indian suppliers would entail higher costs and logistical challenges. The analysis shows that in US had over 40 percent dependence on India in nearly a fifth of India's exports to the country.
President Trump’s July 30 announcement termed the hike as a response to India’s high tariffs, non-monetary trade barriers, and continued energy ties with Russia.

“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high... INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST,” the president noted.