According to a notice submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO), India is considering new import duties on selected US products in response to Washington’s tariffs on steel and aluminium. The document, dated 12 May, outlines a “suspension of concessions or other obligations” in the form of increased tariffs on certain goods originating from the United States. It does not specify which products would be targeted.
In March, the US reinstated 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, extending measures first introduced during Donald Trump’s first presidential term in 2018. India, the world’s second-largest crude steel producer, stated in its submission that the US measures could affect $7.6 billion worth of Indian exports. The Trump administration had also threatened to impose 26% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods. The two countries are currently negotiating a trade agreement, with India offering to reduce its tariff gap with the US by two-thirds.
India maintains some of the highest import tariffs globally. Trump has previously accused India of being a “tariff abuser”. Last month, India imposed its own 12% temporary tariffs to stem imports of cheap steel, mainly from China. Meanwhile, New Delhi is pushing to expand access for Indian steel exports through trade negotiations with partner countries
