A Windsor, Ontario-based company that produces coatings for the automotive rubber industry is increasingly looking to India as a key growth market, amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S.tariffs and shifting global trade dynamics.G.Bareich Import-Export Inc.(GBIE), which supplies coatings used on vehicle door, window, and sunroof seals to reduce abrasion and eliminate squeaks, says the volatility in U.S.markets has slowed decision-making among American customers, prompting a strategic pivot toward diversification.

Company president David Bareich has described India as a “huge” and fast-growing automotive market, driven by rising vehicle production and expanding industrial ambitions.

He recently travelled to India to meet potential clients, including major automotive manufacturers such as Mahindra, and said the company is now actively pursuing opportunities in the country.

GBIE believes that a Canada–India free trade agreement could significantly reduce costs, particularly by removing India’s current 10 per cent import duty, resulting in substantial savings and improved competitiveness.The shift comes as Canada and India continue negotiations toward a free trade agreement, aiming to triple bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.In 2025, two-way trade between the countries reached $13.

6 billion, with Canadian exports dominated by commodities such as mineral fuels and wood pulp, while imports from India included precious metals, machinery, and pharmaceuticals.

Trade relations between the two countries had stalled in 2023 but have recently re-energized following diplomatic engagement, including a visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this year.

Officials from both sides now describe the relationship as being in a “reset” phase, with renewed momentum and multiple rounds of negotiations already completed.

Analysts suggest India’s large and growing economy, combined with Canada’s need for market diversification, makes deeper trade ties increasingly strategic.

For GBIE, expanding into India represents both a response to current trade uncertainty and a long-term opportunity to access one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive sectors.