India, six others flags UK steel curbs at WTO

New Delhi: India, along with six other countries, has reached out to the World Trade Organization (WTO), raising concern over the UK's latest steel safeguard measures that seek to limit tariff-free steel imports.

At the WTO's Council for Trade In Goods meeting Wednesday, New Delhi asked the UK to find solutions that are least trade-restrictive in nature.

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The issue remains a sticking point in implementation of the India-UK compressive economic and trade agreement (CETA) signed on July 24, 2025. The pact was expected to come into force this month, but now the two sides are trying to work out a "creative solution" to ensure the deal is implemented "at an early date".

The proposed measure by the UK is slated to come into effect July 1, reducing the overall quota volumes by 60% compared to the earlier steel safeguard measures. Any imports exceeding these levels will now face a 50% tariff.

Earlier, the UK had in place safeguard measures that also imposed import quotas. The new measures reduced that quota.

"India said it remains engaged with the UK in addressing our concerns on this important sectoral issue," said an official aware of the WTO meeting. "We request the UK to find solutions which are least trade-restrictive in nature."

Brazil, Turkiye, Switzerland and Australia also flagged their concerns on the measure, besides Japan and Korea who initiated the discussions.