As the Donald Trump administration continues to find ways to impose tariffs, India has approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) seeking consultations with the US over Washington’s tariff-rate quota on imports of quartz surface products. The measure took effect on August 15 and is set to remain in force for four years.India exported around $380 million worth of quartz surface products to the US in FY26. The US has identified India, Vietnam, Spain and Thailand as major exporters of these products.
What the 50% tariff quota for quartz surface products is about
US President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on July 31 introducing a tariff-rate quota of up to 50% on quartz surface product imports from several countries.Also Read | 100% tariffs: Why India may ignore Trump threat and continue buying Russian crude oilThe move came after the US International Trade Commission said that imports of these products had risen sufficiently to become a substantial cause of serious injury to US producers of similar or directly competing products.In its August 14 communication to the WTO, New Delhi said it has a “substantial interest” in the matter and suggested that the consultations be conducted virtually at a time mutually convenient to both sides, according to an ET report.“India would like to propose that the consultations mentioned above take place virtually as per mutual convenience of both sides,” India told the WTO while requesting consultations under the WTO agreement on safeguards.This is the fourth instance in which India has sought such consultations with Washington. Earlier cases involved steel and aluminium, automobiles and auto components, and copper imports.WTO rules provide an exemption from safeguard measures for developing countries whose individual share of the relevant imports is below 3%, provided that the combined share of all such developing countries does not cross 9% of total imports.Washington has imposed a 10% tariff on Indian goods following a Section 301 investigation into forced labour and is also moving ahead with legislation that could impose tariffs of as much as 100% on India and four other countries identified as major buyers of Russian oil and gas. At the same time, India and the US are engaged in negotiations for a trade agreement.The US last week also included India among more than 40 countries that it identified as part of a “shadow trans-shipment network”, alleging that the network enables Chinese goods to enter the US while avoiding tariffs. Washington has said it plans to use artificial intelligence to detect and take action against such shipments.Also Read | Beijing’s billion-barrel weapon: Why India must prepare for China-driven oil prices
