Overview

• The US has officially informed the WTO that its tariffs on steel and aluminum are national security measures under Section 232, not safeguard actions under WTO rules.
• India had requested consultations under the WTO's Agreement on Safeguards, arguing the tariffs function as safeguard measures and were not properly notified to the WTO.
• The US rejected India's consultation request, stating that the tariffs are protected under GATT's security exceptions and not subject to safeguard provisions.
• The tariffs, initially imposed in 2018, were expanded in February 2025 with aluminum duties raised to 25% and all country exemptions removed as of March 12, 2025.
• While the US dismissed WTO consultations, it expressed openness to bilateral discussions with India on trade issues outside the WTO framework.