India's textile exporters received a boost with the government's temporary removal of an 11% import duty on cotton, effective from June 1 to October 30, 2026. This waiver is expected to lower raw material costs, benefiting spinning mills and yarn manufacturers. However, a proposed 12.5% tariff by the US Trade Representative on imports from India poses a significant challenge. The US is India's largest export market for textiles, accounting for 28.97% of textile and apparel exports. Experts warn that while the cotton duty waiver offers immediate cost relief, the higher tariffs could diminish competitiveness, forcing exporters to absorb additional costs. The interplay between lower cotton prices and higher tariffs highlights the importance of market access for sustaining export growth. Industry leaders emphasize that achieving favorable market access, alongside the cotton waiver, is essential for reaching India's ambitious target of $100 billion in textile exports by 2030. As global trade dynamics shift, India's textile sector's future may hinge on effective trade diplomacy and continued domestic support.