India has imposed a safeguard duty on certain steel imports for a period of three years, signalling a tougher stance against what it has described as a surge in low-priced shipments that threaten domestic
manufacturers, particularly from China.
According to a notification issued by the finance ministry and published in the official government gazette on Tuesday, the import levy will range between 11 per cent and 12 per cent over the three-year period.
The duty will be set at 12 per cent in the first year, ease to 11.5 per cent in the second year, and further reduce to 11 per cent in the third year.
The tariff measure, locally referred to as a safeguard duty, will apply to imports from several countries, including China, Vietnam and Nepal.
However, imports from certain developing countries have been exempted from the levy.
The order also clarified that speciality steel products, such as stainless steel, will not fall under the ambit of the safeguard duty.
The move follows repeated concerns raised by the federal steel ministry, which has said it does not want India’s domestic steel industry to suffer due to an influx of cheap and sub-standard imports.
Earlier this year, the government had imposed a temporary safeguard duty of 12 per cent for 200 days in April to provide immediate relief to local producers.
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which investigates trade defence cases, recommended the three-year duty after concluding that imports had witnessed a “recent, sudden, sharp and significant increase.”
Such a surge, the DGTR said, was causing and also threatening to cause serious injury to domestic manufacturers, according to the finance ministry order.
India’s decision comes amid heightened global trade tensions surrounding steel, particularly Chinese exports.
US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel imports have added to trade friction globally, prompting several countries to introduce protective measures.
Nations such as South Korea and Vietnam have already imposed anti-dumping duties on steel imports earlier this year, Reuters reported.
CHINA TO CUT IMPORT TARIFFS ON 935 ITEMS
Meanwhile, in a contrasting move, China has announced it will lower import tariffs on 935 items from January 1, 2026, applying provisional rates that are below the most-favoured-nation tariff levels, according to an official announcement made on Monday.
The decision was taken by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council and is aimed at responding to criticism that China focuses heavily on exports while importing comparatively less, contributing to a persistent trade surplus.
The commission said the lower tariffs are intended to improve coordination between domestic and international markets and to better utilise resources from both, while expanding the supply of high-quality goods.
Tariff reductions will apply to select key components and advanced materials to support high-level technological self-reliance, as well as to certain resources to promote green development.
China will also reduce tariffs on some medical products, including artificial blood vessels, to enhance public welfare.
Additionally, the country plans to optimise tariff headings and national subheading notes in 2026.
New national subheadings will be introduced for products such as intelligent bionic robots and bio-aviation kerosene to support technological progress and sectors like the circular economy.
Official data showed that China’s foreign trade reached 41.21 trillion yuan (around USD 5.82 trillion), marking a 3.6 per cent year-on-year increase.
Exports accounted for about USD 3.46 trillion, while imports stood at USD 2.37 trillion, according to figures released by the General Administration of Customs.
The commission also said China will continue applying preferential tariff rates under 24 free trade agreements with 34 trading partners in 2026 and will maintain zero-tariff treatment on all tariff lines for 43 least-developed countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing.
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