Smartphone tariff increase measures India sued by WTO Japanese government March 19, 22:00
The government filed a lawsuit with the WTO on March 19, claiming that measures to increase tariffs on smartphones imported by India into its country violated the rules of the World Trade Organization.
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Indian government has been gradually increasing tariffs on imported smartphones, their components and base stations to a maximum of 20% since 2014 to protect domestic industries and employment. . WTO rules prohibit the imposition of customs duties on these products.
The government, however, has been in bilateral talks to withdraw the measures, but has filed a lawsuit with the WTO on March 19 because India did not respond to the withdrawal. The trial is expected to be conducted by a subcommittee, which is the first trial, but the start of trials may be delayed because various meetings have been postponed at the WTO headquarters in Switzerland due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the value of products such as mobile phones imported by Japanese companies from India is estimated to be approximately 14.7 billion yen annually, and the negative impact of tariff increases is estimated to be approximately 2.5 billion yen.