2 weeks ago
India challenges US quartz tariffs at WTO in fourth dispute
India and the United States are having a disagreement about quartz, a material used to make kitchen counters.
India sells a lot of these quartz products to the US.
The US decided to put a special tax on quartz products from India and some other countries.
The US says the tax is fair because too many cheap quartz imports were hurting American companies.
India says the tax is unfair and asked a big group called the World Trade Organization, which helps countries solve trade arguments, to help.
The two countries will talk about the problem, probably on a video call.
This is not the first time the two countries have argued about taxes - they have also argued about steel, cars, and copper.
A White House report even said India might be helping China send goods to the US without paying taxes.
Even though they are arguing, India and the US are still trying to make a bigger trade deal together.
India has sought WTO consultations with the US over its tariff-rate quota on quartz surface product imports, its fourth challenge of US trade measures under the safeguards framework.
President Donald Trump signed the order on July 31, imposing the quota on imports from India, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam until August 2030.
The measure, which took effect August 15, 2026, raises tariffs to as much as 50% on imports exceeding the quota.
India exported around $700 million worth of quartz surface products to the US in FY26.
A White House report released August 13 named India among countries allegedly used to route Chinese goods into the US to avoid higher tariffs.
- Who
- India (New Delhi) and the United States (Washington), with the World Trade Organization as the dispute forum
- What
- India sought WTO consultations under the Agreement on Safeguards over the US tariff-rate quota on quartz surface product imports
- Where
- The dispute concerns US imports of quartz surface products from India, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam, with WTO consultations proposed to be held virtually
- When
- The WTO communication is dated August 14, 2026; President Trump signed the order on July 31, the measure took effect August 15, 2026, and the White House transshipment report was released August 13
- Why
- India considers the tariff-rate quota an improper trade measure, while the US International Trade Commission found increased imports were a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry
US Position
India Position
Quartz surface product tariffs
US Position
The US International Trade Commission found increased quartz imports were a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry, justifying a tariff-rate quota with duties up to 50% on shipments above the quota.
India Position
India challenged the measure as an improper trade measure under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards and sought consultations, citing significant export exposure of around $700 million in FY26.
Key facts
- Dispute
- US tariff-rate quota on quartz surface product imports
- India's exports to US (FY26)
- Around $700 million
- Tariff above quota
- Up to 50%
- Measure duration
- Until August 2030
- Order signed
- July 31 by President Donald Trump
- Effective date
- August 15, 2026
- Prior India challenges at WTO
- Steel and aluminium, automobiles and auto components, copper products
- Transshipment exposure estimates
- $40 billion (Goldman Sachs) to $303 billion (Altana)
Quotes
Indian delegation
Representatives of India’s trade delegation to the WTO
“Having a substantial interest, India requests consultations with USA under... AoS (agreement on safeguards)”
telegraphindia.com









