US rejects India's steel tariff challenge at WTO

THE UNITED STATES has rejected India's notice at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which proposed retaliatory action against the 25% US tariffs on steel and aluminum, arguing that the tariffs were imposed on national security grounds.

- RAVI DUTTA MISHRA

The US also pointed out procedural errors in India's case.

In its note dated May 23, the US stated that India is wrongly treating the tariffs on steel and aluminum as safeguard measures. It clarified that these duties were imposed under US law (Section 232), which allows such action if imports are considered a threat to national security.

This development is significant as President Donald Trump on Friday announced a move to double import tariffs on steel to 50%—a step Indian exporters have called "unfortunate," warning that they have already lost $5 billion in exports due to earlier tariffs, and further hikes could deepen losses.