<p>US president Donald Trump’s proposed 50 per cennt tariffs on imports from India have put Bengaluru-based businesses — primarily those dealing with textiles and handicrafts — in a tough spot. Among those badly hit is Karunya Musicals, a Benniganahalli store that sells musical instruments.</p>.<p>Set up by Dr K Varadarangan in 2016, the shop specialises in cruelty-free percussion instruments including tabla, dholak, mrudanga and khol. Traditionally used cow, goat and buffalo hide are replaced with vegan leather for the drum heads. “We export around 20-25 instruments per month to the US, which makes up more than half of our exports. The instruments currently cost roughly around USD 300 per piece. If the tariff comes into effect the price will go up to USD 450,” Varadarangan said. “We are hoping the issue is resolved and that the new tariffs don’t last for long,” he added. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Other stores selling musicalinstruments in Bengaluru stated that they would not be affected by the tariff as their exports to the US are negligible. “On average, we export one or two pieces per month,” said Kavita Swaminathan, assistant manager, sales and marketing at Radel, which manufactures electric harmoniums and tanpuras.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="bold"><strong>What happened</strong></span></p>.<p class="bodytext">On August 6, US president Donald Trump signed an order to increase tariffs on imports from India by 25%, taking the cumulative tariffs for goods from India to 50%. The additional 25% tariff announced this month follows India’s refusal to stop importing oil from Russia. It is expected to come into effect on August 27.</p>
<p>US president Donald Trump’s proposed 50 per cennt tariffs on imports from India have put Bengaluru-based businesses — primarily those dealing with textiles and handicrafts — in a tough spot. Among those badly hit is Karunya Musicals, a Benniganahalli store that sells musical instruments.</p>.<p>Set up by Dr K Varadarangan in 2016, the shop specialises in cruelty-free percussion instruments including tabla, dholak, mrudanga and khol. Traditionally used cow, goat and buffalo hide are replaced with vegan leather for the drum heads. “We export around 20-25 instruments per month to the US, which makes up more than half of our exports. The instruments currently cost roughly around USD 300 per piece. If the tariff comes into effect the price will go up to USD 450,” Varadarangan said. “We are hoping the issue is resolved and that the new tariffs don’t last for long,” he added. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Other stores selling musicalinstruments in Bengaluru stated that they would not be affected by the tariff as their exports to the US are negligible. “On average, we export one or two pieces per month,” said Kavita Swaminathan, assistant manager, sales and marketing at Radel, which manufactures electric harmoniums and tanpuras.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="bold"><strong>What happened</strong></span></p>.<p class="bodytext">On August 6, US president Donald Trump signed an order to increase tariffs on imports from India by 25%, taking the cumulative tariffs for goods from India to 50%. The additional 25% tariff announced this month follows India’s refusal to stop importing oil from Russia. It is expected to come into effect on August 27.</p>