Key Highlights
- Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA): India is negotiating a BTA with the US to boost electronics exports, particularly in smartphones, air conditioners, colour TVs, wearables, and audio devices.
- Current Market Share: In 2023, India accounted for only 1.9% of the US’s $520 billion electronics imports, with total exports valued at $10 billion.
- Tariff Advantage:
- The US has imposed a 20% tariff on smartphones, while India’s tariff stands at 16.5%, creating an opportunity for Indian exports.
- Mexico lost its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) benefits, now facing a 25% tariff, providing India a chance to expand its presence in desktops, servers, colour TVs, and air conditioners.
US Electronics Import Landscape (2023)
| Category | Total US Imports ($B) | China | Vietnam | Mexico | India |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphones | 60 | 45 (75%) | 8 | 5 | – |
| Switching & Routing | 51 | 7.9 | 11 | 8.4 | 1.2 |
| Laptops & Tablets | 46.3 | 35.9 (77%) | 7.9 | 0.1 | – |
| Desktops & Servers | 37.1 | 0.65 | 0.09 | 25 (67%) | – |
| Colour TVs | 12 | 1.19 | 1.13 | 9.2 (76%) | – |
| Air Conditioners | 14 | 3 | 0.06 | 6.8 (48%) | 0.04 |
| Wearables & Audio | 12.4 | 5.4 (43%) | 3.3 | 1.8 | – |
Challenges & Opportunities for India
- Dominance of China, Vietnam & Mexico:
- China leads in smartphones (75%), laptops (77%), and wearables (43%).
- Vietnam is a strong player in switching & routing systems (21%).
- Mexico dominates in desktops, colour TVs, and air conditioners, benefiting from past FTAs.
- India’s Strategy:
- Push for zero-duty imports for smartphones under the BTA, as the US lacks local manufacturing.
- Reduce or eliminate tariffs on colour TVs & air conditioners to stay competitive.
- Leverage US tariff hikes on China & Mexico to expand India’s export footprint.
The ongoing BTA negotiations and tariff shifts could significantly boost India’s electronics exports to the US market, provided the right policy measures are implemented.
