India's PC, laptop import restrictions: US, Korea raise concerns
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New Delhi: During a meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Monday, the United States, China, Korea, and Chinese Taipei have raised concerns over India's decision to impose import restrictions on laptops, and computers, an official said.
The meeting on Market Access was chaired by Renata Crisaldo of Paraguay in Geneva.
According to the official, the U.S. said that the decision will have an impact on trade of these products, including U.S. exports to India, once they are implemented.
The U.S. also said the decision was creating uncertainty for exporters and downstream users.
On August 3, India imposed import restrictions on a host of IT hardware products such as laptops, personal computers (including tablet computers), microcomputers, large or mainframe computers, and certain data processing machines with a view to boost domestic manufacturing and cut imports from countries like China. The regime would take effect November 1.
However, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal last week said India would not impose licensing requirements on imports but will only monitor their inbound shipments.
The official said that Korea stressed that the proposed measures by India seem inconsistent with WTO rules and could consequently create unnecessary trade barriers.
Seoul requested India to reconsider the implementation of these measures and provide detailed clarifications and information on this issue, including the timeline of its implementation.
In 2022-23, the country imported personal computers, including laptops, worth USD 5.33 billion and USD 7.37 billion in 2021-22.
With inputs from PTI