New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) The US has rejected India's claim that the 50 per cent tariffs imposed by Washington on copper are safeguard measures under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, stating there is no basis for New Delhi's proposal to suspend duty concessions on American goods.

The tariffs were imposed on August 1.

As India is an exporter of copper products to the US, it has sought consultations with the US on the matter under the WTO safeguard agreement in September.

India has stated that the duties, although claimed to be taken for security interests, are safeguard measures.

"These actions are not safeguard measures. Accordingly, there is no basis for India's proposal to suspend concessions or other obligations under...the Agreement on Safeguards with respect to these measures,"

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