Taiwan has requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) for permission to join Japan’s consultations with India on a complaint against alleged import restrictions on certain steel products.

Taiwan, in its submission to the WTO said, it was dissatisfied with India’s response to its queries on the minimum import price (MIP) on steel.

Meanwhile, an official here said: “We had responded to Taiwan’s queries on the MIP on steel items some time back explaining that it was a temporary measure. However, it says that it is not satisfied and wants to participate in the consultations between Japan and India. We are going to make all efforts to explain our position well at the consultations.”

Compliance issue Taiwan pointed out that it had requested details about the MIP on iron and steel products, and explanations on how it was in compliance with WTO agreements from India, at the meetings of the WTO Council on Trade in Goods. However, there is no satisfactory response from New Delhi.

“According to the statistics of 2015, the exportation of the concerned products from the country is to the amount of $14 million. It is believed we have a substantial trade interest in these consultations and a systemic interest in the interpretation of the provisions of GATT 1994 and the Agreement on Safeguards,” the submission said.

In December, Japan requested dispute consultations with India at the WTO on ‘certain measures on imports of iron and steel products’. These ‘measures’ include both safeguard duties (levy imposed to stop a surge in imports that are hurting domestic producers) and minimum import price (MIP) on some steel items. Japan sent a formal request for consultations to India early this month spelling out exactly where it had a problem with the country’s import measures on steel.

Preparing replies “Our negotiating team and the office of DG Safeguards are going through the request and preparing suitable replies,” the official added. The number of items on which MIP was introduced by India has already been brought down to 19 and may go down further next month.

The safeguard duties imposed on hot-rolled steel products in March 2016 is being slowly tapered off but would be in place till March 2018.

Related Topics