Monitoring Certain Countries, Commodities For Potential Dumping Risks To India: Commerce Ministry
India stands at risk of merchandise dumping due to reciprocal tariffs amid global trade tensions, and various countries and commodities have been identified to track for import surges.
The government has noted that India stands at risk of merchandise dumping due to reciprocal tariffs amid global trade tensions, and various countries and commodities have been identified as targets for import surges.
"There are lots of pauses and reversals with regards to tariffs.... Things are in a flux currently," Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters on Tuesday.
"We’re looking at import surges and have identified countries and commodities to watch more intensely. We're monitoring imports through an inter-ministerial cell, with representation from the Departments of Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Customs and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. We're in touch with all stakeholders and based on feedback and data we receive, remedial measures will be taken," he added.
The Commerce Ministry added that rising US costs may prompt exporters from countries like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, all facing US trade deficits, to divert goods to India, potentially triggering import surges, with products at risk of being dumped in India.
Additionally, China's retaliatory tariffs on US goods could further increase the inflow of US agricultural products into India, it said.
"There are elevated apprehensions related to likely flooding of imports... In case there is a surge, we have urged exporters to report to us," Special Secretary L. Satya Srinivas and DGFT Santosh Sarangi told reporters.
"India has decided to go for a path of trade liberalisation with the US," Barthwal added.
The two countries will start virtual discussions on the deal this month, with the next round of in-person talks scheduled for mid-May, added Rajesh Agrawal, an additional secretary in the Commerce Ministry.
