India’s Trade Delegation Heads to Washington as Plans for WTO Retaliatory Tariffs Take Shape
India has launched a two-pronged trade policy strategy:
These moves could significantly affect stainless steel import-export flows between the two nations.
A Reuters report confirms that India’s trade ministry officials, including chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, began discussions in mid-July in hopes of concluding a preliminary deal by fall 2025.
President Trump has described the deal as “very close,” with negotiators racing to finalize terms before the discontinuation of current tariff waivers on August 1.
Trump’s administration maintains that tariffs 26% on many Indian steel products, will resume at their full levels from August 1 unless an agreement is signed. India, however, has resisted broad market concessions on dairy, wheat, and corn, focusing instead on securing tariff relief in key export sectors.
In a separate move, India has notified the WTO of its intention to impose countervailing duties on U.S. steel and aluminium valued at approximately $7.6 billion matching U.S. safeguard tariffs on Indian exports worth about $3.8 billion
India’s stance is based on WTO safeguard provisions, while the U.S. maintains the duties are justified under national security exemptions.
These developments come amid India’s ongoing infrastructure expansion, which is itself increasing domestic steel demand. Negotiations with other trade partners including the EU and ASEAN, are also for diversification.
India’s dual strategy, diplomatic negotiation in Washington and legal action at the WTO, marks a pivotal shift in its trade approach. The stainless steel sector remains at the heart of this dynamic, with outcomes likely to influence competitive positioning, pricing strategies, and market access both domestically and abroad.
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