Letter to BS: Raising import tariffs will hurt Indian consumers the most

The WTO has an objective to reduce the disparities in tariff structure amongst its member countries, but till today, it hasn't made much headway

This refers to your editorial “Protectionism does not pay; raising import tariffs to hurt Indian consumers” (March 13).  The editorial states India should use this opportunity to boost its own productivity by improving infrastructure at a low cost and should not raise import tariffs. While last week's imposition of import duties on steel and aluminium by the US although would not have a huge impact on India, the country’s  stand to take it up with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is one sided. There is another way that trade representatives of both the countries can sit and deliberate the advantages