India braces as Trump tariffs could create a surge in steel imports

New Delhi considers safeguard duty as oversupply from China, South Korea, Japan looms

20250313 India steel

An employee at a steel factory in India: Over the past few years, steel prices in the country have been driven down by an influx of finished steel, especially from China. © Reuters

SOUMYAJIT SAHA

MUMBAI -- India is bracing for an increase in steel imports following U.S. President Donald Trump's 25% tariff on all steel, which could push major producers like Japan, South Korea and China to redirect more of their production toward India, further impacting the commodity's price in the South Asian nation.

The 25% U.S. tariff on steel imports, which took effect Wednesday, might prompt Japan and South Korea to "divert more exports toward India," S&P Global Ratings said in a note last week. Along with China, the three countries account for about 80% of all steel imports by India.

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