India’s steelmakers have appealed to the government to urgently impose a temporary tax on cheap steel imports from China, Japan, and South Korea. The Indian Steel Association (ISA) has raised concerns about the rising influx of steel at predatory prices, which is severely affecting the domestic steel industry. The ISA, representing major steel producers like JSW Steel, Tata Steel, and Steel Authority of India, made this plea in a presentation to the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), a division of the federal trade ministry.
According to the ISA, steel mills in India are experiencing considerable financial distress due to the large volume of low-priced steel being imported from surplus countries. The ISA warned that these imports are not only damaging the pricing structure of the domestic market but also threatening the survival of local steelmakers. The association noted that steel imports, especially from China, Japan, and South Korea, are priced at levels that local producers cannot compete with, putting significant pressure on their operations.
The ISA’s presentation also pointed to the growing issue of imports from Vietnam, which was once a buyer of Indian steel but has now become a net exporter of steel to India. This shift has exacerbated the situation, especially since Vietnam’s steel exports to India are often sold at low prices.
India, which is the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel, has also become a net importer of finished steel. Data for the fiscal year 2023-2024 reveals a sharp rise in imports, with finished steel imports during the first half of the year reaching a seven-year high. The growing imports are further squeezing margins for domestic mills, which have seen their profit margins drop by as much as 68% to 91%.
The ISA further pointed out that the situation is forcing companies to reduce production and delay capacity expansion, leading to uncertainty in the sector. JSW Steel, India’s largest steelmaker, has reported a third consecutive drop in profits, primarily due to the pressure from rising imports and falling domestic prices.
The DGTR has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into steel imports from Vietnam and is now assessing whether a safeguard duty should be imposed to counter the adverse impact on domestic producers. The outcome of this investigation will determine if additional duties will be applied to imports, though the ISA has pushed for swift action to ensure the survival of local steel manufacturers.
