Implications of Trump’s New Safeguard Tariff on Quartz Surface Products for India
India has formally approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the United States’ recent announcement of safeguard tariffs on quartz surface products. Effective August 15, these tariffs will range from 25% to 55%. India initiated consultations under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, expressing a “substantial interest” in the matter and requesting access to relevant information from the US.
India proposed that discussions occur virtually at a mutually convenient time, although no date has been set for these consultations.
India’s Quartz Surface Products Exports to the US
The US represented 72.5% of India’s quartz surface product exports in FY2026, according to a report from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). During that year, India exported $233.3 million worth of agglomerated quartz slabs and other quartz and glass surface products to the US. The industry is heavily reliant on the US market for its exports.
Quartz surfaces are engineered products made by combining crushed quartz or silica with resins and pigments, then pressing and polishing the mixture into durable slabs. These products are commonly used for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and flooring. Major production hubs in India include Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Telangana, with additional manufacturing in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Key exporters include Pokarna Engineered Stone, Marudhar Quartz Surfaces, and ARO Granite Industries, among others.
India Has Initiated Consultations at the WTO
India’s quartz surface product exports to the US will now face safeguard tariffs from August 15. These products are primarily manufactured in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Telangana. While India’s move does not constitute a formal WTO dispute at this stage, it allows for the possibility of challenging the US’s assessment of increased imports and potential injury to domestic producers.
The US safeguard will be in effect for four years, with a global quota of 13.006 million square meters applicable in the first year. This quota will be divided into quarterly allocations, but India has not been assigned a specific quota, meaning it will compete with other countries for market access. Imports within the quota will incur an additional 25% duty, while those exceeding the quota will face a 50% tariff.
Existing Duties and Future Implications
A significant portion of Indian quartz surface product exports already faces antidumping and countervailing duties in the US. Companies like Pokarna and Marudhar currently enjoy a zero antidumping rate, while others face rates of 1.02%. Countervailing duties range from 1.57% to 2.34%. The newly imposed safeguard duties will be added to these existing rates.
India may contest the US’s findings on increased imports and injury under WTO rules. The country’s immediate goals include seeking an exemption or negotiated arrangements regarding the safeguard measures. If consultations do not yield satisfactory results, India retains the right to pursue further WTO actions.
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