Geneva: India and Japan have formally notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of their intent to impose retaliatory tariffs against the United States, challenging long-standing U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Both countries argue that the U.S. tariffs, first imposed in March 2018 under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, constitute safeguard measures under WTO rules—even though the U.S. has not formally declared them as such to the WTO.

India has estimated the tariffs impact $7.6 billion worth of its exports, resulting in $1.91 billion in duties, and signaled it may impose equivalent duties on U.S. imports. Japan, in its notification, also targets U.S. auto and auto part restrictions, alongside the metal tariffs.

These developments follow similar actions from the European Union and Britain, which have likewise reserved the right to suspend trade concessions in response to the U.S. tariffs.

The situation escalated after the Trump administration, on March 12, 2025, raised aluminum tariffs from 10% to 25%, while also revoking duty-free quotas and exemptions for steel and aluminum imports—actions that have sparked global backlash.

India and Japan are now preparing to present detailed lists of affected U.S. products and retaliatory measures to the WTO before implementation.

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