New Delhi: With the US imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from India, New Delhi has proposed to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US products under the norms of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Under this, apples, almonds, pears, boric acid and some otehr items will be affected.
“The safeguard measures would affect $7.6 billion imports into the US of the relevant products originating in India, on which the duty collection would be $1.91 billion,” a WTO communication said.
In April, India had knocked the doors of the WTO after the United States authorities’ decision to impose the tariffs. In March 2025, the Donald Trump-led administration announced a 25 percent tax on steel and aluminium imports. It may be noted that India is the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel.
Besides imposing duties on steel and aluminium, the US has also threatened reciprocal tariffs of 26 percent on Indian goods. The US and India are in talks and trying to finalise a trade deal.
In April, India sought consultations with the US under the WTO’s safeguard agreement, following the US authorities’ decision to impose these tariffs.
The US has told the WTO that it took the decision to impose the tariffs to safeguard national security interests and the decision should not be viewed as safeguard measures.
In a reciprocal move, India plans to impose equivalent tariffs of up to $1.91 billion. The WTO confirmed that New Delhi has informed about suspending concessions and other obligations.
“India hereby notifies the Council for Trade in Goods of its proposed suspension of concessions and other obligations…This notification is made in connection with safeguard measures extended by the United States of America on imports of aluminium, steel and derivative articles, vide Presidential Proclamation…dated 10 February 2025, with the effective date of 12 March 2025,” a WTO communication said.
“India maintains that the measures taken by the US are not consistent with the GATT (General Agreement on Trade and Tariff) 1994 and AoS (Agreement on safeguards).” “The proposed suspension of concessions or other obligations takes the form of an increase in tariffs on selected products originating in the United States,” it further read.
India has initiated retaliatory tariffs on US goods, totaling $1.91 billion, in response to US tariffs on Indian steel and aluminum. This action, taken under WTO rules, follows India’s April consultation request after the US imposed a 25% tax on these imports in March 2025. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
