New Delhi: The US, Singapore and Chinese Taipei have expressed their interest to join consultations sought by the European Union under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism against India’s import duties on certain ICT products, including mobile phones.
In the first week of this month, the European Union (EU) dragged India into the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism over imposition of import duties on these products, alleging breach of global trade norms.
The EU has challenged introduction of import duties on a wide range of information and communications technology (ICT) products, for instance, mobile phones and components, base stations, integrated circuits and optical instruments.
The three countries in separate communications to the WTO have said they have substantial trade interest in these consultations as they are major players in the ICT sector.
The US said it is a significant exporter of goods in the ICT sector in the categories of products mentioned in the EU’s request. It said the US exports of these goods to India were valued at about $490 million in 2018.
“As such, the US considers that it has a substantial trade interest and requests to be joined in these consultations,” the WTO communication said.
Similarly, Singapore has stated that it desires to be joined in India’s consultations with the EU ‘because Singapore, as one of the world’s largest exporter of ICT products, with export value of $120 billion annually, has substantial trade interest in this matter’.
Chinese Taipei or Taiwan also said the separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu has a substantial trade interest in ICT goods. “I look forward to receiving confirmation of acceptance of this request, as well as advice regarding the time and venue for these consultations,” it has said in its communication to the Geneva-based WTO.
Seeking consultation is the first step of dispute settlement process as per the WTO rules. If the consultations requested with both India and EU do not result in a satisfactory solution, the EU can request that the WTO sets up a panel in the case to rule on the issue raised.
As per the WTO rules, these three countries would have to seek approval from India and EU to join the consultation process.