Retaliatory Tariffs From India Delayed Until Sept. 18

Retaliatory tariffs for U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum were delayed again by India, the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted Aug. 8. The retaliatory tariffs, first announced in May (see 1805180064), are aimed at agricultural products, motorcycles, steel products and phosphoric and boric acid, and are aimed at offsetting the $241 million in duties India expects its U.S. customers to pay on its steel and aluminum exports. The tariffs were originally expected in June, but have been delayed twice. Many of the items already face high tariffs -- walnuts are taxed at 100 percent, fresh apples at 50 percent, chickpeas at 60 percent, motorcycles at 100 percent -- but the actions would add 10 percent more to many ag products, 20 percent to walnuts and almonds, and 50 percent more to motorcycles.

With many of these products imported at low volumes, the additional revenue collected will be small on most, but on almonds still in the shell, India projected there would be more than $110 million in additional duties. Apples would be subject to about $24 million more in duties, with a 25 percent increase in tariffs. The U.S. accepted consultations at the World Trade Organization on India's complaint about the steel and aluminum tariffs in early July.