New Delhi (Sputnik) — In the face of US protectionism, India has proposed retaliatory import duties of up to 100% to be levied from June onwards on a list of American goods. The 20 items include peas, chickpeas, fresh apples, walnuts, soybean oil, refined palm olein, coco powder, chocolate products, golf cars, motorcycles with engine capacity of over 800 cc and other goods and vehicles with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines.
READ MORE: US Likely to Extend Steel, Aluminum Tariff Exemptions for Allies – Reports
India has formally communicated to the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it will be levying the higher duty on 20 items imported from the US from next month if the Trump administration does not roll back high tariffs on steel and aluminum.
"The proposed suspension of concessions or other obligations takes the form of an increase in tariffs on selected products originating in the United States… based on the measures of the United States. India reserves its right to further suspend substantially equivalent concessions and other obligations based on the measures of the United States," India's formal communication to the WTO reads.
READ MORE: US Sanctions on Iran Puts India in Catch-22 Situation
The Trump administration, on March 9, raised the import duty on aluminum products to 10%, while on steel products the duty was raised to 25% for all countries except Canada and Mexico. Due to the increased import duty by the US, around$1.5 billion worth of India's exports of aluminum and steel products have been affected.
India had earlier urged the US to exempt it from the decision to raise import duties on certain steel and aluminum products and resolve the issue amicably through consultation, which was declined by the Trump administration.