Overview

• India has imposed a 12% provisional safeguard duty on five categories of flat steel products for 200 days to address a surge in low-cost imports from China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
• The duty applies to imports priced below specified thresholds, exempting higher-value steel products, and excludes most developing countries except China and Vietnam.
• Domestic steelmakers, including major producers, have agreed to supply MSMEs at export-parity prices to mitigate potential cost increases for small enterprises.
• The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) investigation, initiated in December 2024, continues to assess the impact of rising imports on the domestic industry.
• The measure has drawn mixed reactions, with steel producers supporting the move as necessary for market stability, while MSME representatives warn of increased input costs and competitiveness challenges.