The tariffs had been imposed on August 1.
As India is an exporter of copper merchandise to the US, it has sought consultations with the US on the matter underneath the WTO safeguard settlement in September.
India has acknowledged that the duties, though claimed to be taken for safety pursuits, are safeguard measures.
“These actions should not safeguard measures. Accordingly, there isn't any foundation for India's proposal to droop concessions or different obligations underneath…the Settlement on Safeguards with respect to those measures,” in keeping with a communication, dated November 6, from the US in response to India's notification.
A WTO member might take a safeguard motion (limit imports of a product quickly) underneath the WTO Settlement on Safeguards to guard the home trade from a rise in imports of any product which is inflicting, or is threatening to trigger, severe damage to the trade. However earlier than imposing a safeguard responsibility, a member nation has to conduct a probe and notify different members relating to that. The US has stated that the tariffs on copper merchandise are imposed as per Part 232, underneath which the US President decided that tariffs are obligatory to regulate imports of those articles that threaten to impair the nationwide safety of the US.
Part 232 is a nationwide safety statute.
India has earlier introduced reserving proper to impose retaliatory duties on choose US merchandise in response to American tariffs on metal, aluminium, and auto elements.
The event is essential as the 2 international locations are negotiating a bilateral commerce settlement.
India exported copper merchandise, together with plates, tubes, and different semi-finished varieties, value USD 360 million to the US in FY25.
India is a internet importer of copper, with imports totalling USD 14.45 billion in 2024-25, far outweighing its exports.
Its most important suppliers embody Chile, Indonesia, and Australia. Notably, India additionally imported USD 288 million of copper scrap from the US.
Whereas the US has resorted to protectionist tariffs (50 per cent), India fees 2.5 per cent import tariff on copper ore and concentrates, 5 per cent on refined copper and copper alloys, and 10 per cent on sure copper articles, it had stated.
The USA's determination is geared toward lowering dependence on overseas copper, which Washington claims poses a threat to important home sectors akin to defence, clear vitality, and infrastructure.
Copper is a foundational uncooked materials for electrical autos (EVs), energy grids, semiconductors, and defence electronics.
