New Quartz Tariffs Trigger Trade Consultations
Key Highlights
- India has sought consultations with the US at the World Trade Organisation over tariffs on quartz surface products.
- The request has been made under the WTO’s Agreement on Safeguards.
- The US introduced a tariff-rate quota on imports of quartz surface products from several countries.
- The measure took effect on August 15, 2026.
- Shipments exceeding specified quotas can attract duties of up to 50 per cent.
- India has cited its substantial trade interest in seeking consultations.
- New Delhi has proposed holding the consultations virtually at a mutually convenient time.
- Quartz surface products are engineered stone slabs primarily made from silica-based materials and resin.
New Delhi, August 18: India has sought consultations with the United States under the World Trade Organisation’s safeguard framework over Washington’s decision to impose tariff-rate quotas on imports of quartz surface products.
The move comes after the US introduced new trade restrictions covering imports of engineered quartz products from several countries, with duties of up to 50 per cent applicable to shipments exceeding specified quotas.
The measure took effect on August 15, 2026.
India, citing its substantial interest in trade of the affected products, has formally requested consultations with the US under the WTO’s Agreement on Safeguards.
US introduces tariff-rate quota
US President Donald Trump signed an order on July 31 introducing a tariff-rate quota on imports of quartz surface products from several countries.
Under a tariff-rate quota system, imports up to a specified quantity can generally enter under one tariff structure, while shipments exceeding the quota face substantially higher duties.
In this case, imports exceeding the specified limits can attract tariffs of up to 50 per cent.
The measure could have implications for exporters supplying quartz surface products to the US market.
What are quartz surface products?
Quartz surface products are engineered or artificial stone slabs widely used in countertops, interior surfaces and other construction and furnishing applications.
They are primarily manufactured using silica materials such as quartz, quartz powder and glass powder, which are combined with a resin binder to produce engineered slabs.
India has an economic interest in exports of such products, prompting New Delhi to raise the matter through the WTO’s safeguard mechanism.
India seeks consultations
“Having a substantial interest, India requests consultations with USA under… AoS (agreement on safeguards),” the WTO said in a communication dated August 14.
The communication was circulated at the request of the Indian delegation.
India has proposed that the consultations be conducted virtually at a mutually convenient time for both sides.
Consultations provide the countries involved an opportunity to discuss the measure and its potential trade impact before the issue progresses further through WTO mechanisms.
Safeguard measures under WTO rules
The WTO’s Agreement on Safeguards establishes rules governing temporary trade restrictions that countries may impose when a surge in imports is considered to be causing or threatening serious injury to a domestic industry.
Members with substantial trade interests can seek consultations over such measures.
India’s latest request therefore opens a formal channel for New Delhi and Washington to discuss the US tariff-rate quota and its implications for Indian quartz surface product exports.
The consultations come at a time when tariffs and market-access conditions remain important issues in global trade relations, with exporters closely watching changes that could affect access to major international markets.
