Overview

• India requested WTO consultations under the Safeguards Agreement, contesting the U.S. decision to impose a 50% duty on certain copper products.
• The U.S. measure took effect on August 1 and was adopted for an unlimited duration, according to the filing cited in the report.
• India contends the action is essentially a safeguard that was not notified to the WTO Committee on Safeguards, while Washington characterizes it as a national security step to curb dependence on foreign copper.
• The dispute is complicating talks on a proposed bilateral trade agreement, with a planned U.S. negotiating visit deferred and the next round of discussions on hold.
• Exposure includes about USD 360 million in Indian copper exports to the U.S. in FY25 and roughly USD 288 million in copper scrap imports from the U.S., with India remaining a net copper importer.