New Delhi, April 9 -- Indian tyre exporters who were bracing for tougher competition in international markets after the US unleashed higher tariffs on nearly 100 countries have another factor to contend with: the escalating trade war between the US and China.

US President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday increased its tariffs on Chinese imports into the country to 104%, in retaliation for China deciding to counter the US' reciprocal tariffs with its own.

China last year exported rubber tyres worth nearly $1 billion to the US, which is the largest importer of rubber tyres.

While the US is a major market for Indian tyre makers, accounting for about one-fifth of their nearly $3 billion exports in2023-24,Europe and Latin America ...