Reply to India at WTO: U.S. says tariffs on aluminum and steel goods rather than guarantees

New Delhi: The United States told the World Trade Organization on Thursday that its tariffs on steel and aluminum products are for national security purposes and are not safeguards.

Washington responded to India’s search for consultation with the United States under the WTO safeguards agreement, which Washington said: “These actions are not safeguards and therefore there is no basis for consulting under the safeguards agreements regarding these measures.”

On March 8, 2018, the United States imposed 25% and 10% measures on these products by imposing 25% and 10% Valorem tariffs on these products, effective March 23, 2018. On February 10, 2025, it revised the import of steel and aluminum artworks.
India said the U.S. failed to notify the WTO safeguards committee of its decision to take safeguards and, as an affected member with a significant export interest, it requested consultations with Washington.

In response, the United States said that tariffs are “a necessary condition for adjusting the import of steel and aluminum items that may undermine U.S. national security.” The United States responded similarly to the EU’s consultative requirements on these safeguards.

“These actions are not safeguards and therefore there is no basis for consultation under the agreement on these measures,” it said. The consultation request was filed in the case of the United States imposing a 10% reciprocal tariff in other countries outside India and China.