India takes US quartz tariff to WTO

New Delhi has requested consultations with the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the US's tariff-rate quota on imports of quartz surface products. This quota, effective since August 15 and set to last four years, prompted India to seek protection under WTO agreements. India has been named alongside Vietnam, Spain, and Thailand as one of the major exporters of these goods.

In the fiscal year 2026, India exported approximately $380 million worth of quartz surface products to the US. India suggested that the consultations occur virtually, accommodating the preferences of both parties. This move marks the fourth instance of India seeking such consultations with the US, following disputes over steel, aluminum, automobiles, and auto components, as well as copper imports.

The WTO's safeguard provisions do not permit the imposition of protective measures against developing countries when a single nation's imports constitute less than 3% of total subject imports, provided the combined share from those low-import-share developing nations does not surpass 9% of overall imports. The development follows the US's imposition of a 10% tariff on India under a Section 301 investigation alleging forced labor, and the US is currently drafting legislation to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and four other countries for being the leading importers of Russian oil and gas.

Simultaneously, both nations are negotiating a broader trade agreement. Recently, the US identified India among 40 other countries as part of a covert trans-shipment network allegedly facilitating Chinese goods to evade US tariffs, and has pledged to utilize artificial intelligence to detect and address such shipments.