India Notifies WTO of Retaliatory Tariffs on US Goods

On 9th May, 2025, India informed the WTO of its plan to impose retaliatory tariffs on select US goods, countering US safeguard duties on Indian steel and aluminium exports.

Key Points

Retaliation Plan: India’s tariffs target US duties affecting $7.6 billion worth of Indian exports, with estimated losses of $1.91 billion.
WTO Notification: India’s formal communication to the WTO claims the US measures violate GATT 1994 and the Agreement on Safeguards.
National Security vs. Safeguards: The US justifies its tariffs on national security grounds, but India classifies them as safeguard measures subject to WTO rules.
Timeline: India reserves the right to suspend WTO concessions 30 days from notification, pending consultation outcomes.
Bilateral Talks Ongoing: Despite trade tensions, India is close to finalising a bilateral trade deal with the Trump administration.