Trump Considering Further Tariffs Targeting Indian Jewelry and also the Middle-East and Thailand Trade Links

Gems News: Washington Signals Fresh Pressure on Jewelry Markets

Reports emerging from Washington suggest that former US President Donald Trump is preparing another round of tariffs aimed at reshaping the global jewelry industry. The proposals, insiders say, would directly hit India’s gems and jewelry trade while also scrutinizing the role of Thailand and Middle Eastern nations in global transshipment. This Gems News report highlights how the initiative could weaken India’s dominance and reroute opportunities toward the United States, Europe, and Israel. Sources add that Trump’s team has also been speaking with African governments about re-writing mining contracts, ensuring future resource pipelines align with his strategy.

Tariff shifts may unsettle Indian jewelry dominance and disrupt Thai re-export channels
Image Credit: StockShots

India’s Long-Held Role Under Threat

India has long been the cornerstone of the global jewelry supply chain. Companies in Surat and Mumbai purchase rough stones from African mines, cut and polish them, and ship them worldwide. Trump’s new plan challenges this position by claiming Indian firms overcharge both miners and international buyers. Should tariffs be imposed, the move could upend this ecosystem, threatening millions of Indian jobs and forcing markets to find alternative hubs.

Thailand and Middle East in the Crossfire

Thailand, along with hubs in Dubai and other Middle Eastern centers, plays a critical role in routing gems and jewelry to the United States. These transshipment routes allow Indian and Chinese products to reach American retailers more easily. Analysts warn that if Trump blacklists major Indian firms or slaps new taxes on goods passing through these hubs, Thailand’s jewelry export sector could face its sharpest blow in decades. Competition from Vietnam and other emerging markets only heightens the risks.

Shockwaves for the Global Industry

India currently dominates over 90 percent of diamond cutting and polishing worldwide, and its exports to the US remain vital for bilateral trade. Any sudden tariff increase would ripple across supply chains, raising prices in American stores and leaving retailers scrambling for alternatives. For Thailand, the challenge will be proving its value not just as a logistics gateway but as a creative jewelry producer in its own right.

A Broader Geopolitical Play

Observers note that this is more than just a trade fight. Trump appears intent on restructuring global supply chains to favor allies, reducing dependence on Indian intermediaries. His team’s outreach to African mining states hints at an effort to carve out new pathways for resources, bypassing traditional giants. Critics argue that such realignment could ignite disputes and destabilize international trade relations.

What Lies Ahead for Jewelry Markets

If Trump follows through, the entire gems and jewelry landscape could be redrawn. From African miners to Indian polishers and Thai exporters, each link faces disruption. While American and European firms may benefit in the short term, retailers and consumers could suffer from price hikes and shortages. For Thailand, the stakes are particularly high as it must defend its transshipment status while carving out a reputation as a design powerhouse. Whether these tariff threats materialize or remain political posturing, industry leaders are bracing for turbulence.

For continuing updates on tariffs, sanctions, and the shifting jewelry trade, keep on logging to Bangkok Gems News.

For the latest developments, analysis, and insights on the global gems and jewelry industry — including trade flows between Asia, the Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait), and the United States — keep following Gems News. Our coverage spans market updates, new sourcing trends, policy changes, retail innovations, and everything shaping the international gems and jewelry business.