Kolkata, June 2 (UNI) The proposed 50 percent tariff on all foreign steel and aluminum by US President Donald Trump could hurt India’s engineering exports, as these metals and their derivatives account for nearly a quarter of the country’s total engineering goods shipments to the US, according to EEPC India.

The annual export of steel, aluminum and their derivatives to the US currently stand at around $5 billion.

" The 25 percent tariffs imposed by the US on steel imports (as per the proclamation order dated on 18th March 2025) have created a challenging environment for Indian steel exporters," EEPC India chairperson Pankaj Chadha said on Monday.

Although India's direct steel exports to the US are relatively low, the tariffs have led to increased global competition and price pressures. The tariffs have also resulted in a shift in trade flows.

“In case the US goes ahead with its plan and imposes a 50 p tariff on steel, aluminium and their

derivatives, exports of these key items will become costlier leading to a likely dip in shipments," said

Chadha.

Chadha highlighted that the UK through its trade deal with the US recently got exemptions from 25 pc

tariff on steel and aluminum and suggested that India should also ask for the same kind of waiver during the ongoing bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations with the US.

"This is perhaps not the opportune time to introduce such a unilateral tariff especially when BTA

negotiations are going on. It can make the work of the negotiators tricky. The proposed tariff increase by the Trump administration is likely to impact the engineering exports which are about $5 billion under this head," the EEPC chairman said.

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