New Delhi: The United States has turned down India’s request for WTO consultations on the 50 per cent tariffs on copper and copper derivative products imposed by the Trump administration, claiming that the duties are not safeguard measures as claimed by New Delhi.

In a communication to the WTO, the US stated there was “no basis” for India to seek consultations under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards (AoS).

This is the third such case of the US refusing a request for trade consultation after earlier disputes with India on steel and aluminium, and automobiles and auto components.

The 50 per cent tariff, levied under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act, has been in effect since August 1. It applies indefinitely to semi-finished and derivative copper imports. Section 232 authorises the

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