India maintains anti-subsidy measures on stainless steel pipes from China and Vietnam.

The Indian government has extended the countervailing duties (CVD) on imports of welded stainless steel pipes and tubes from China and Vietnam for an additional five years, as per a notification from the Union Finance Ministry dated September 10. Initially implemented in September 2019, these duties range from 12 per cent on imports from Vietnam to 30 per cent on those from China, aimed at protecting and supporting domestic manufacturers.

Countervailing duties are imposed following investigations conducted by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which reviews evidence of subsidies harming domestic industries before making such recommendations. In June, the DGTR reaffirmed the need to maintain these duties, noting that removing them would adversely impact India’s steel producers.

The investigation was launched in response to complaints from industry bodies like the Stainless Steel Pipe and Tubes Manufacturer Association and regional groups from South India and Haryana. The probe revealed that these steel products were being imported at prices below their production costs due to foreign subsidies, putting local manufacturers at a disadvantage.

Welded stainless steel pipes and tubes are essential in various sectors in India, thanks to their corrosion resistance and durability. They are widely used in construction, automotive exhaust systems and fuel lines.