India Considers 'Safeguard Duty' to Control Steel Imports
03 Dec 2024
2 Min Read
CW Team
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. 鈥淒iscussions are ongoing, and measures like imposing a safeguard duty are being considered,鈥� 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. 鈥淕iven the current FTA and the limited growth in ASEAN鈥檚 consumption, these new capacities are mainly for export. India鈥檚 low-to-zero tariffs make it an attractive market compared to the EU or the US,鈥� 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鈥檚 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. 鈥淒iscussions are ongoing, and measures like imposing a safeguard duty are being considered,鈥� 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. 鈥淕iven the current FTA and the limited growth in ASEAN鈥檚 consumption, these new capacities are mainly for export. India鈥檚 low-to-zero tariffs make it an attractive market compared to the EU or the US,鈥� 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鈥檚 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
HCL-Foxconn to invest Rs 37 billion in chip plant near Jewar airport
The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new semiconductor unit near Jewar airport in Uttar Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission. This sixth plant, a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn, marks further progress in India鈥檚 semiconductor journey. The project will see an investment of Rs 37 billion.The facility will produce display driver chips for mobile phones, laptops, automobiles, PCs, and other digital devices. It is designed for a monthly capacity of 20,000 wafers and an output of 36 million units.Five semiconductor units are already in advanced stages of constructi..
Next Story
Brigade acquires Velachery land for Rs 16-billion project
Brigade Enterprises has acquired a 5.41-acre land parcel on Velachery Road, Chennai, through an outright purchase for Rs 4.417 billion. Located next to Phoenix Market City, the site will be developed into a premium residential project with a gross development value of approximately Rs 16 billion and a development potential of 0.8 million square feet.The project offers strategic access to both the OMR IT Corridor and Chennai鈥檚 Central Business District, promising strong connectivity and premium lifestyle offerings. Brigade plans to create signature residences focused on aesthetics, functional..
Next Story
Liebherr marks 10,000th XPower wheel loader milestone
Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen has rolled out its 10,000th XPower wheel loader, marking a major production milestone. The anniversary L 580 XPower model, featuring a power-split travel drive developed with ZF Friedrichshafen AG, was handed over to the BERGER Group in Passau.鈥淭he transmission from our partner ZF is a key component of the drivetrain in our XPower wheel loaders,鈥� said Gerhard Pirnbacher, Head of Quality Management at Liebherr. 鈥淲ith an impressive total of around 64 million operating hours already clocked up by XPower models, this transmission has proven its exceptional robustn..
