IMPOSITION
OF SAFEGUARD MEASURES BY THE UNITED STATES
ON IMPORTS OF CERTAIN STEEL AND ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS
REQUEST FOR CONSULTATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 12.3
OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS
India
The following communication,
dated and received on 10 April 2025, is being circulated at the request of the
delegation of India.
_______________
On 08 March 2018, the United States of America
("United States") promulgated safeguard measures on certain steel and
aluminium articles by imposing 25% and 10% ad valorem
tariffs respectively on such products with effect from 23 March 2018.[1] On 10 February 2025, the
United States revised the safeguard measures on imports of steel and
aluminium articles, effective from 12 March 2025, and with an unlimited duration.[2],[3]
Notwithstanding
the United States' characterisation of these measures as security measures,
they are in essence safeguard measures. The United States failed to notify the
WTO Committee on Safeguards under Article 12.1(c) of the Agreement on
Safeguards (AoS) on taking a decision to apply safeguard measures.
Accordingly, as an affected Member with
significant export interest to the United States in the products concerned, India
requests consultations with the United States pursuant to Article 12.3, AoS to
exchange views on the measure and to meet the objectives set out in Article
8.1, AoS.
India looks forward to receiving a
prompt reply to this request from the United States and to setting a mutually
convenient date and venue for the above-mentioned consultations.
India reserves all its rights under
the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization and its Annexes,
including the Agreement on Safeguards.
__________
[1] See, Proclamation 9704 of 08 March 2018, Adjusting
Imports of Aluminum Into the United States, 83 FR 11619, at pp. 11619 – 24
(available at 2018-05477.pdf),
Proclamation 9705 of 08 March 2018, Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United
States, 83 FR 11625, at pp. 11625 – 30 (available at 2018-05478.pdf).
[2] See, Proclamation 10895 of 10 February 2025,
Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States, 90 FR 9807, at pp. 9807 –
16 (available at 2025-02832.pdf),
Proclamation 10896 of 10 February 2025, Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the
United States, 90 FR 9817, at pp. 9817 – 30 (available at 2025-02833.pdf).
[3] The
measures identified herein shall be deemed to include all related measures,
such as those required to implement the identified safeguard measures.