Explainer | How Trump tariffs hurt US: Christmas toys, Swiss watches, Japanese whisky

While US President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause on his proposed tariff hikes, exporters are still dealing with the uncertainty of a 10 per cent universal levy returning if trade deals aren’t struck as his administration envisages.

Meantime, the list of companies from Europe to Asia halting shipments of everything from cars to toys is growing, meaning consumers in the US might find there aren’t even the goods to pay for as products pile up in ports.

Here’s a look at what could go missing from American shelves as businesses weigh the cost of additional tariffs and mull reducing their US exposure.

Jewellery from India

The 90-day pause has given some respite to Indian exporters of gems and jewellery to the US, but they’re still expected to see a short-term slowdown in the next one-and-a-half months after traders front-loaded shipments to the US to try to beat the levies.

A 10 per cent universal tariff, down from the 26 per cent that was originally announced for India, would still impact gems such as loose diamonds, which operate on a slim 3 per cent-5 per cent margins, the Financial Express reported, citing Kirit Bhansali, chairman of the Gold and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.

Clothing made in Bangladesh

Textile producers in Bangladesh are reporting that their US buyers have halted orders due to the tariffs, which for the South Asian nation were set at 37 per cent. Textiles and garments make up 80 per cent of the country’s exports.