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Hey everyone, it is the team at THOUSIF Inc. – INDIA here.

If you are an Indian content creator, whether you are running a YouTube channel, blogging, streaming, or earning through AdSense, you probably felt uneasy late last year when news of steep US tariffs on Indian goods started making headlines.

Many creators wondered if their dollar earnings would take a hit.

The good news? Things have improved a lot since then.

In early February 2026, the US and India reached an interim trade agreement that significantly lowered those tariffs and removed several significant risks.

What Happened With The Tariffs?

Back in 2025, the US imposed high tariffs, up to 50% in some sectors, on many Indian physical exports, including textiles, gems, chemicals, and auto parts.

The primary trigger was India’s continued purchases of Russian oil amid global tensions.

These tariffs only applied to physical goods.

Digital products, videos, online courses, subscriptions, streaming content, and ad revenue from platforms like YouTube stayed completely untouched.

That protection comes from a long-standing global rule called the WTO moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions.

The Big February 2026 Update

After months of talks, President Trump and Indian leaders announced an interim agreement in early February 2026:

The US cut tariffs on most Indian goods to a reciprocal rate of around 18%, a significant drop from the earlier highs.
India agreed to phase out Russian oil imports and lower duties on several US products.
A key win for the digital space: any lingering concerns about retaliation over India’s former digital services tax (the equalization levy) are now gone, as the levy was fully phased out by April 2025.

This deal stabilizes India’s economy faster than expected, which means local advertising budgets and brand deals should recover sooner.

For creators focused on global audiences, dollar earnings remain strong, helped along by the rupee’s current exchange rate.

How This Affects Indian Content Creators Right Now

Here is a quick comparison table to show where things stand in February 2026:

Area	Impact	Why
Direct Tariffs on Digital	None	Only physical goods are affected; WTO rules still protect online content
Local Indian Ad Spend	Minor dip (3-8%)	The economy is rebounding thanks to lower taxes, quickly
Global/USD Earnings	Stable or slightly up	Weaker rupee continues to boost dollar revenue
Brand Deals & Sponsorships	Mostly stable	Local brands recovering; international deals unaffected
Tool & Software Costs	Minimal increases	No major import disruptions; prices holding steady
Risk of Digital Retaliation	Very low	Digital services tax already removed; tensions eased

Looking Ahead: One Thing Still Worth Watching

The WTO moratorium that keeps digital exports duty-free is still in place, but it is set to expire at the end of March 2026 unless renewed at the next global meeting.

The US is actively pushing for a permanent extension, and with the new trade momentum, most experts think renewal is likely.

Still, it is smart to stay informed; a lapse could open the door to new duties (though unlikely in the short term for US-India trade).

Practical Tips To Keep Your Channel Thriving

The core advice we shared late last year still holds, and feels even more relevant now that the most significant risks have eased:

Build a global audience: Add subtitles, cover international topics, and collaborate across borders. Many successful Indian creators already get 70-80% of their revenue from viewers outside India.
Prioritize original content: Stick to YouTube’s originality rules to maintain your monetization status.
Diversify your income: Explore channel memberships, Patreon, affiliate links, digital products, or online courses. These streams are entirely insulated from physical trade issues.
Keep an eye on policy news: Follow reliable sources for updates on the WTO and final details of the complete US-India trade agreement, expected later this year.
Plan your tools wisely: No need to panic-buy equipment; import costs are stabilizing.

Trivia

Did you know? The WTO e-commerce moratorium has protected digital trade since 1998 – nearly three decades of duty-free online content worth trillions of dollars globally. Without it, your favorite streaming services and download stores could look very different!