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India has approached the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the Donald Trump administration’s move of announcing safeguard tariffs of 25% to 55% from August 15 for quartz surface products.India approached the WTO on August 14 seeking consultations with Washington under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. India said it had a “substantial interest” in the measure and sought access to the information provided by the US, an opportunity to discuss the safeguard action and protection of its rights under WTO rules.It has proposed that the discussions be held virtually at a time convenient to both sides, although no date has been finalised.
India’s quartz surface products exports to the US
The US accounted for 72.5% of India’s quartz surface-product exports in FY2026, according to a Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) report. During the year, India shipped $233.3 million worth of agglomerated-quartz slabs and certain quartz and glass surface products to the US. So the industry is largely dependent on the US for exports.Quartz surfaces are engineered stone products created by combining crushed quartz or silica with resins, pigments and other materials, followed by pressing and polishing the mixture into durable, non-porous slabs.They are widely used for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, floors and wall cladding. Indian production is largely concentrated in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Telangana, with additional manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.Among the major Indian exporters are Pokarna Engineered Stone, which markets its products under the Quantra brand, Marudhar Quartz Surfaces, KalingaStone-linked companies, ARO Granite Industries, Pacific Quartz Surfaces, Camrola Quartz, Esprit Stones, Mahi Granites, Keros Stone and Quartzkraft, the GTRI report said.“Indian manufacturers have designed their slab sizes, patterns, certifications and distribution networks for the large US countertop and home-renovation market, making it difficult to shift quickly to other markets,” GTRI notes.
India has initiated consultations at the WTO
India’s exports of quartz surface products to the US, valued at $233.3 million, will face safeguard tariffs ranging from 25% to 55% from August 15. These products, commonly used for kitchen countertops, bathroom walls and flooring, are manufactured primarily in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Telangana.India’s move does not amount to a formal WTO dispute at this stage. During the consultations, India could challenge the US assessment of increased imports and injury to domestic producers, while also seeking an exemption, a dedicated quota or modifications to the safeguard measures.The US safeguard will remain in force for four years, from August 15, 2026, through August 14, 2030. During the first year, a global quota of 13.006 million square metres will apply, with the permitted volume divided into four quarterly allocations. India has not been assigned a specific quota and will therefore have to compete with other countries covered by the measure for access to the US market.Imports falling within the quota will attract an additional 25% duty, while shipments exceeding the quota will face a 50% tariff.Quartz countertop slabs that were previously allowed to enter the US duty-free will consequently face tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%. For covered glass products, which already carry a 5% tariff, the overall duty burden will rise to between 30% and 55%. Antidumping and countervailing duties could be imposed in addition to these tariffs.Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Korea, Singapore and several other US free-trade partners, along with certain small developing-country suppliers, have been excluded from the safeguard. India and China, however, remain subject to the measure.
What it means
A large portion of Indian exports of these products already attract antidumping and countervailing duties in the US, says GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava. Pokarna, Marudhar and 44 other Indian companies that have undergone review currently have a zero antidumping rate, while suppliers that have not been reviewed generally face a 1.02% rate. Countervailing duties range between 1.57% and 2.34%, with an “all others” rate of 2.17%.Antique Marbonite is an outlier, having received an antidumping margin of 323.12% in an earlier review after the US Commerce Department applied “adverse facts available.”The newly imposed safeguard duties will come on top of these existing company-specific duties.“India may question whether the US established increased imports, serious injury and a clear causal link under WTO rules. It may also challenge the representative period, quota size, absence of an India-specific allocation, cumulative duties and different treatment of excluded suppliers. India’s immediate objective may be an exclusion or negotiated country arrangement, alongside transparent quota administration,” says Ajay Srivastava.“Indian producers may also accelerate diversification into Europe and the Gulf, develop lower-silica surfaces and expand domestic demand. If consultations fail, India has preserved its right to pursue further WTO action,” he adds.The episode also offers a broader lesson: when more than 70% of an industry’s exports depend on one market, even a single trade measure can cause lasting damage.“Indian producers may therefore need to diversify into Europe, the Gulf and other markets, develop lower-silica products and expand domestic demand, while the government builds an early-warning system to respond to foreign trade-remedy investigations before decisions are finalised,” GTRI concludes.
