India has initiated an investigation into the alleged dumping of six products imported from China, including certain chemicals, cold-rolled electrical steel, and black toner powder cartridges, following complaints from domestic industries. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the commerce ministry’s investigation arm, is probing products such as 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber, specific antioxidants, polytetrafluoroethylene, black toner powder cartridges, and cold-rolled non-oriented electrical steel.
Several Indian companies have filed applications requesting the imposition of anti-dumping duties to protect local industries from the negative impact of cheap imports. SRF Ltd has requested an investigation into R-134a, used in automotive air conditioning systems, while Apcotex Industries Ltd seeks a probe into Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber, used in oil, gas, and automotive sectors. Vinati Organics Ltd has requested a probe into antioxidants, primarily used in the petrochemical industry, while Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd is focusing on polytetrafluoroethylene, used in electronics and mechanical industries. Indrayani Sales has called for a probe into black toner powder cartridges, and POSCO Maharashtra Steel and CSCI Steel Corporation India have sought an investigation into cold-rolled electrical steel imports from China.
The DGTR stated that the applications submitted by these companies have provided sufficient evidence of material injury caused by dumped imports, leading to the initiation of anti-dumping investigations. If these investigations confirm injury to domestic industries, the DGTR will recommend anti-dumping duties to the finance ministry, which will make the final decision.
India conducts anti-dumping probes to assess whether cheap imports are harming domestic industries, and the imposition of duties serves as a countermeasure under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework. These duties aim to promote fair trade and level the playing field for local producers. India has already imposed anti-dumping duties on several products, including those from China, its second-largest trading partner. The trade deficit between India and China stood at $85 billion in 2023-24, a matter of ongoing concern for India.
