India seeks WTO consultations with US over quartz surface tariff quota

India has initiated WTO consultations with the United States over a tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products that took effect on August 15 and will remain in place for four years. The move comes as India asserts it has a "substantial interest" in the dispute.

India exported approximately $380 million worth of quartz surface products to the US in FY26, making the new quota a significant concern for Indian manufacturers and exporters. The tariff-rate quota mechanism imposes elevated duties on imports beyond a specified threshold, effectively restricting market access.

The WTO consultation request is the first formal step in dispute resolution, allowing both parties to seek a negotiated settlement before the matter potentially escalates to formal adjudication.