India Considers 'Safeguard Duty' to Control Steel Imports
Steel

India Considers 'Safeguard Duty' to Control Steel Imports

India is exploring the implementation of safeguard duties to curb the influx of steel at low or zero tariffs under the free trade agreement (FTA) with the ASEAN region. This move comes as Chinese companies expand their steel manufacturing capacities in ASEAN countries. Discussions are underway between the steel and commerce ministries, ahead of the next India-ASEAN FTA review talks scheduled for February. Industry experts report that Chinese firms are adding approximately 97 million tonnes (mt) of blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) capacity in ASEAN, expected to be operational within the next 5-6 years. With annual steel consumption in ASEAN at around 75 mt, there are concerns that the surplus production could be redirected to India due to the tariff advantages under the India-ASEAN FTA. “Discussions are ongoing, and measures like imposing a safeguard duty are being considered,” a senior government official said. Alok Sahay, Secretary General of the Indian Steel Association, noted that the influx of 97 mt of new BF-BOF capacity in ASEAN countries poses a threat to Indian steel producers. “Given the current FTA and the limited growth in ASEAN’s consumption, these new capacities are mainly for export. India’s low-to-zero tariffs make it an attractive market compared to the EU or the US,” Sahay added. The South East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEASI) projects that the region's steel production capacity will reach 145 mt by 2026. Praful Venugopal, CEO of Mittal Steel Indonesia, mentioned that Chinese producers have signed agreements with Indonesia to set up plants that will contribute an additional 20 mt of capacity. Indonesia’s steel consumption is around 17 mt, and these new plants are designed to supply exports. The anticipated oversupply from ASEAN could lead to depressed domestic steel prices in India, where production in FY24 was 139 mt, just slightly above consumption of 136 mt. (ET)

India is exploring the implementation of safeguard duties to curb the influx of steel at low or zero tariffs under the free trade agreement (FTA) with the ASEAN region. This move comes as Chinese companies expand their steel manufacturing capacities in ASEAN countries. Discussions are underway between the steel and commerce ministries, ahead of the next India-ASEAN FTA review talks scheduled for February. Industry experts report that Chinese firms are adding approximately 97 million tonnes (mt) of blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) capacity in ASEAN, expected to be operational within the next 5-6 years. With annual steel consumption in ASEAN at around 75 mt, there are concerns that the surplus production could be redirected to India due to the tariff advantages under the India-ASEAN FTA. “Discussions are ongoing, and measures like imposing a safeguard duty are being considered,” a senior government official said. Alok Sahay, Secretary General of the Indian Steel Association, noted that the influx of 97 mt of new BF-BOF capacity in ASEAN countries poses a threat to Indian steel producers. “Given the current FTA and the limited growth in ASEAN’s consumption, these new capacities are mainly for export. India’s low-to-zero tariffs make it an attractive market compared to the EU or the US,” Sahay added. The South East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEASI) projects that the region's steel production capacity will reach 145 mt by 2026. Praful Venugopal, CEO of Mittal Steel Indonesia, mentioned that Chinese producers have signed agreements with Indonesia to set up plants that will contribute an additional 20 mt of capacity. Indonesia’s steel consumption is around 17 mt, and these new plants are designed to supply exports. The anticipated oversupply from ASEAN could lead to depressed domestic steel prices in India, where production in FY24 was 139 mt, just slightly above consumption of 136 mt. (ET)

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Trump-Backed $100 Billion Stargate to Use Solar Power for AI Infra

A $100 billion joint venture, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is set to advance artificial intelligence in the U.S. and will rely partly on renewable energy sources such as solar power and batteries, favored by his climate-focused predecessor.The Stargate venture, announced on January 23, 2025, involves SoftBank Group Corp., OpenAI, and Oracle Corp. These companies will invest $100 billion to establish infrastructure in the U.S., including data centres for OpenAI. Although executives highlighted a potential $500 billion expansion, they did not specify energy sources for the project...

Next Story
Building Material

JK Cement Acquires Majority Stake in Saifco Cement to Expand in J&K

JK Cement has made a significant move in its growth strategy by acquiring a 60% equity stake in Saifco Cement, a cement manufacturer based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The acquisition, valued at approximately Rs 1.74 billion, was approved during a board meeting on January 25, 2025.Located in Khunmoh, Srinagar, Saifco's integrated manufacturing unit, which includes both clinker and grinding capacities, aligns with JK Cement's expansion plans. Saifco has an annual turnover of around Rs 860 million, and this acquisition not only strengthens JK Cement's presence in the region but also offers a ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Etihad Unveils Train Connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 30 Minutes

Etihad Rail has announced the launch of a new high-speed passenger train service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, set to reduce travel time to just 30 minutes. The trains will travel at speeds of up to 350 km/h, significantly improving connectivity between the two emirates.The announcement was made during an official ceremony at Al Faya Depot, with officials from the Dubai Media Office (DMO) and Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO) sharing the news on social media platform X.The high-speed rail route will pass through major destinations and tourist attractions, providing a fast, efficient travel experien..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000