What Trump’s latest safeguard tariff measure on quartz surface products means for India

India has approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the Donald Trump administration’s decision to announce safeguard tariffs of 25% to 55% starting August 15 for quartz surface products.India approached the WTO on August 14 seeking consultations with Washington under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. India said it had a “substantial interest” in the measure and sought access to information provided by the United States, an opportunity to discuss safeguard action and the protection of its rights under WTO rules.He has proposed that discussions be held virtually at a mutually convenient time, although no date has been set.

Quartz Surface Products Exports from India to USA

The United States accounted for 72.5% of India’s quartz surface product exports in fiscal 2026, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). During the year, India shipped agglomerated quartz slabs and certain glass and quartz surface products worth $233.3 million to the United States. So the industry relies heavily on the United States for its exports.Quartz surfaces are artificial stone products created by combining crushed quartz or silica with resins, pigments and other materials, followed by pressing and polishing the mixture to obtain durable, non-porous slabs.They are widely used for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, flooring and wall coverings. Indian production is largely concentrated in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Telangana, with additional manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.Major Indian exporters include Pokarna Engineered Stone, which markets its products under the Quantra brand, Marudhar Quartz Surfaces, companies linked to KalingaStone, ARO Granite Industries, Pacific Quartz Surfaces, Camrola Quartz, Esprit Stones, Mahi Granites, Keros Stone and Quartzkraft, according to the GTRI report.“Indian manufacturers have designed their slab sizes, patterns, certifications and distribution networks for the large US countertop and home renovation market, making it difficult to quickly shift to other markets,” GTRI notes.

India has started consultations at the WTO

India’s exports of quartz surface products to the United States, valued at $233.3 million, will face safeguard tariffs ranging from 25% to 55% from August 15. Commonly used for kitchen countertops, bathroom walls and floors, these products are mainly manufactured in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Telangana.India’s move does not amount to a formal dispute at the WTO at this stage. During consultations, India could challenge the US assessment of increased imports and injury to domestic producers, while seeking a waiver, a specific quota or modifications to safeguard measures.The US safeguard will remain in force for four years, from August 15, 2026 to August 14, 2030. During the first year, a global quota of 13,006 million square meters will be applied, dividing the allowed volume into four quarterly allocations. India has not been allocated a specific quota and will therefore have to compete with other countries covered by the measure to access the US market.Imports that fall within the quota will receive an additional 25% tariff, while shipments that exceed the quota will face a 50% tariff.Quartz countertop slabs that were previously allowed to enter the United States duty-free will consequently face tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%. For coated glass products, which already have a 5% tariff, the overall tariff burden will increase to between 30% and 55%. In addition to these tariffs, antidumping and countervailing duties could be imposed.Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Korea, Singapore and several other free trade partners of the United States, along with certain small developing country suppliers, have been excluded from the safeguard. India and China, however, remain subject to the measure.

what it means

A large portion of Indian exports of these products are already subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties in the United States, says GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava. Pokarna, Marudhar and 44 other Indian companies that have been reviewed currently have a zero anti-dumping duty, while suppliers that have not been reviewed generally face a 1.02% rate. Countervailing duties range from 1.57% to 2.34%, with an “all others” rate of 2.17%.Antique Marbonite is an outlier, having received a 323.12% antidumping margin in a previous review after the U.S. Department of Commerce applied “adverse available facts.”The newly imposed safeguard duties will be added to these existing company-specific duties.“India can question whether the United States established increased imports, serious injury and a clear causal link under WTO rules. It can also question the representative period, the size of the quota, the absence of a specific allocation for India, cumulative duties and different treatment of excluded suppliers. India’s immediate objective may be an exclusion or a negotiated agreement with the country, along with transparent administration of the quota,” says Ajay Srivastava.“Indian producers can also accelerate diversification into Europe and the Gulf, develop low-silica acreage and expand domestic demand. If consultations fail, India has reserved its right to take further action at the WTO,” he added.The episode also offers a broader lesson: when more than 70% of an industry’s exports depend on one market, even a single trade measure can cause lasting damage.“Indian producers may therefore need to diversify into Europe, the Gulf and other markets, develop low-silica products and expand domestic demand, while the government creates an early warning system to respond to inquiries into corrective measures in foreign trade before final decisions are made,” the GTRI concludes.