US farm produce, petchem, med devices face $1.9 bn tariffs

The move signals New Delhi toughening its posture amid ongoing trade talks with the US

- Dhirendra Kumar & Rhik Kundu

India is exploring levying retaliatory tariffs on a range of high-value US exports if a resolution is not found by early June on the Trump administration's extension of safeguard duties on Indian steel and aluminum exports, two persons familiar with the development said, ahead of commerce minister Piyush Goyal's visit to Washington this week leading a trade delegation.

India on Monday informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it will impose $1.91 billion of levies on imports from the US in retaliation against Trump's move but left a 30-day window for talks, showed a communication from New Delhi to the global trade body.

The people cited above said American goods that could attract tariffs will be those with significant trade value and "strategic relevance", including agricultural produce, petrochemicals and high-end medical devices.

The move signals New Delhi toughening its posture amid ongoing trade talks with the US on its tariff hikes. It comes at a time when the UK and China have reached an understanding with the US to lower tariffs.