India’s alloy steel manufacturers are preparing to seek trade protection as cheap imports from China continue to flood the market. The Alloy Steel Producers Association of India (ASPA) confirmed plans to file an anti-dumping petition with the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), part of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
ASPA’s Director General Anil Dhawan stated that imports of alloy and special steel bars and rods from countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have been increasing steadily, with Chinese exporters offering their products at significantly low prices. The domestic industry sees this as a threat to fair competition and market stability.
India’s Alloy Steel Sector Seeks Safeguards
India, currently the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel, has the capacity to produce around 18 to 20 million metric tonnes of alloy steel annually. These high-grade steel products are essential for the automotive, defence, and aerospace industries.
Given the strategic importance of the sector, domestic producers are concerned that continued dumping of low-cost imports could undermine capacity utilisation and long-term investment. The industry’s decision to approach the DGTR reflects broader anxiety over the impact of trade imbalances.
Major Players Back the Petition
The ASPA includes some of India’s most prominent steelmakers, such as JSW Steel, Jindal Steel and Power, Kalyani Steels, and Mukand Sumi Special Steel. These firms are actively collaborating with legal counsel to prepare the petition, which could lead to the imposition of duties or other trade remedies on select imported products.
The planned petition comes on the heels of India’s recent decision to impose a provisional 12 per cent safeguard duty on certain steel imports for 200 days, aimed at checking surges in specific product categories.
Steel Import Surge Fuels Action
India’s finished steel imports from China, South Korea, and Japan reached record levels during the April–January period of the current fiscal year. For the first time in years, India was a net importer of finished steel, raising red flags for policymakers and industry stakeholders alike.
Also read: Govt Proposes 12% Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports
The ASPA’s planned petition is expected to argue that these import trends are harming the domestic industry by depressing prices and eroding margins. The DGTR will assess the case and decide whether to initiate an investigation and recommend anti-dumping duties.
As the global steel market remains volatile, India’s trade and industrial policies will continue to play a crucial role in balancing growth, competitiveness, and self-reliance in critical sectors.
