India considers countermeasures against US steel duties

The country notified the WTO of its intention to impose retaliatory tariffs

India is considering imposing import duties on certain goods produced in the United States in response to Washington’s tariffs on steel and aluminum, according to a document submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Business Standard reports.

As noted, these US “protective measures” will affect imports of Indian products worth $7.6 billion, with the amount of duties in this regard estimated at $1.91 billion.

“The proposed suspension of concessions would result in an equivalent amount of duty collected from products originating in America.,” the country said in a statement.

India’s proposal will lead to the collection of an equivalent amount of duty on American goods.

In April of this year, India requested consultations with the United States under the WTO safeguard agreement after the decision to impose the tariffs. In response to the request for consultations, the United States informed the global trade body that its decision to impose the tariffs was based on national security considerations and should not be considered a safeguard measure.

India argues that the measures taken by the US are not in line with the GATT (General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs) 1994 and the Agreement on Safeguards, as stated in the country’s statement.

The 25% US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports came into effect on March 12.

In April of this year, India imposed a temporary 12% safeguard duty on certain steel imports to combat cheap imports, mainly from China. It will be in effect for 200 days (from April 21, 2025), unless it is repealed, replaced or amended earlier. These measures are aimed at protecting the country’s steel producers from the negative impact of a sharp increase in imports and will ensure fair competition in the market.