Archive · 7 Nov 2025
India Proposes Tariffs on US Goods Amid Copper Trade Dispute
India and the US are disagreeing over trade, specifically about copper.
The US put a 50% extra tax, called a tariff, on copper coming from India.
India thinks this tax is unfair and is like a special rule to block their products, calling it a 'safeguard measure'.
Because of this, India told the WTO, which is like a world trade referee, that they want to put their own extra taxes on some US goods.
These new taxes would be about the same amount of money as the US taxes on their copper.
However, the US disagrees, saying the copper tax is for national security, not a safeguard measure.
They believe India cannot use the WTO rules to challenge it.
India has proposed additional tariffs of $87.82 million on US goods at the WTO in response to US 'safeguard measures' on Indian copper exports.
The US claims the 50% tariffs on copper imports were imposed under a national security statute (Section 232), not as safeguard measures.
India's proposed tariffs aim to offset the value of US duties collected on Indian copper exports, amounting to $87.82 million.
The US argues that India's proposal to suspend concessions is baseless as the copper tariffs are a national security measure.
The US tariffs on copper products, imposed from August 1, 2025, affect $182.54 million in Indian imports and are for an unlimited duration.
- Who
- India, United States, World Trade Organization (WTO)
- What
- India has proposed additional tariffs on US goods at the WTO in response to US 'safeguard measures' on Indian copper exports, which the US disputes as national security measures.
- When
- October 30, 2025 (India's notification); November 6, 2025 (US response); published November 7, 2025.
- Where
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Why
- India is retaliating against US tariffs on copper exports, which India views as safeguard measures. The US justifies its tariffs based on national security concerns.
United States' Position
India's Position
Nature of US Tariffs on Copper
United States' Position
The US asserts that the 50% tariffs on copper imports were imposed under Section 232, a national security statute, not as 'safeguard measures'. They argue these tariffs are necessary to address imports that threaten US national security.
India's Position
India contends that the US tariffs on Indian copper exports are 'safeguard measures', affecting $182.54 million in imports and resulting in $87.82 million in collected duties.
Justification for India's Counter-Tariffs
United States' Position
The US argues that India's proposal to suspend concessions is baseless because the copper tariffs are a national security measure, not a safeguard measure, thus lacking grounds under Article 8.2 of the Agreement on Safeguards.
India's Position
India has proposed additional tariffs on US goods at the WTO equivalent to $87.82 million to offset the value of US duties collected on its copper exports, citing the US measures as 'safeguard measures'.
- India's Proposed Tariffs
- $87.82 million on US goods at the WTO
- US Tariffs on Indian Copper
- 50% tariff applied under Section 232 (national security)
- US Copper Tariff Impact on Imports
- $182.54 million from India
- US Copper Tariff Duration
- From August 1, 2025, for an unlimited duration
- India's WTO Notification Date
- October 30, 2025
- US WTO Submission Date
- November 6, 2025
Sources
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India proposes additional tariffs of $87 m on US goods at WTO in response to copper ‘safeguard’ duties
