Government Delays Imposition Of Retaliatory Import Tariffs On US Goods

The government has delayed the implementation of higher tariffs on some goods imported from the United States to December 17, according to an official order that put off for a third time retaliatory action against US import tariffs on steel and aluminium.

In September, the government had said it would raise tariffs on US goods on November 2.

Trade differences between Delhi and Washington increased since US President Donald Trump took office, but the Indian government's decision to further delay the imposition of tariffs comes as the two countries negotiate a package to remove trade friction over a range of items.

Angered by Washington's refusal to exempt it from new steel and aluminium tariffs, Delhi decided in June to raise the import tax from August 4 on some US products, including almonds, walnuts and apples.

The government later delayed imposing the tax until September 18 and then again until November 2.