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India Pushes Back Against US Allegations of Excess Steel Capacity

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Business 10 Jun 2026 05:57 PM IST Decan Herald

India has firmly rejected allegations from the United States that its steel industry suffers from excess production capacity, arguing that output must be viewed in the context of the country's large population, growing economy, and rising domestic demand. Senior trade officials stated that India's steel production remains aligned with its development needs and consumption requirements rather than representing structural overcapacity.

The response comes after the U.S. raised concerns under a Section 301 investigation, claiming that sectors including steel and textiles benefit from policies that create surplus manufacturing capacity. Indian officials countered that per-capita steel consumption in the country remains among the lowest globally, indicating significant room for future demand growth.Industry stakeholders have also supported the government's position, emphasizing that India's steel sector is expanding to meet infrastructure development, urbanization, manufacturing growth, and long-term economic objectives. The debate highlights ongoing trade tensions between the two countries as both sides continue negotiations on a broader trade agreement.

The development is significant for global steel markets, as India remains the world's second-largest steel producer and one of the fastest-growing consumers of steel. Any policy changes arising from trade discussions could influence future trade flows, investment decisions, and competitiveness across the international steel industry.