India Seeks WTO Consultations with Indonesia on Extending Safeguard Duties on Ceramic Tiles
India: India is in consultations with Indonesia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding Indonesia's proposal to extend safeguard duties on the import of ceramic tile products for another two years, starting from November 18, 2024. India, which has substantial trade interest in exporting ceramic tiles to Indonesia, has requested these consultations to discuss the extension of the measures. Safeguard duties, which are temporary custom duties, are meant to protect domestic industries from a surge in imports. Indonesia plans to impose a 12.72 percent duty in the first year, reducing it slightly to 12.44 percent in the second year. Although China is primarily responsible for the increase in ceramic tile imports into Indonesia, the proposed extension of safeguard duties could negatively impact Indian exports, which have already decreased significantly since 2020 due to Indonesia's safeguard measures. India's exports of ceramic products to Indonesia fell from $76.08 million in 2019-20 to $26.08 million in 2023-24. Despite the decline in exports to Indonesia, India's overall export of ceramic products has grown, reaching $3.04 billion in 2023-24, an 18.59 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.
Source: The Hindu Business Line