New Delhi, Nov. 17 -- India's merchandise exports fell to $34.38 billion in October, and the trade deficit soared as US tariffs took effect and gold imports surged.

The merchandise trade deficit widened to $41.68 billion in October, compared with $32.15 billion in September, according to the government's provisional estimates.

October marked the second full month of the US tariff hike taking effect. Exports to the US, India's largest overseas market, slipped to $6.3 billion in October from $6.9 billion a year earlier, according to ministry of commerce & industry data released on Monday.

Merchandise exports in September stood at $36.38 billion. Imports climbed to $76.06 billion in October, compared with $68.53 billion a month earlier. A...