India has officially requested consultations with the European Union at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding safeguard measures imposed on ferro alloy imports. The EU introduced import quotas on November 18 for developing countries, including India and China, which are scheduled to remain in force for three years. These measures specifically impact Indian exports of ferro-manganese, ferro-silicon, and ferro-silico-manganese.
The EU justified the safeguards by stating that the average delivered price of ferro alloys within the bloc was 20% higher than in India and 35% higher than in China, creating challenges for local European producers. India maintains a substantial trade interest in these products and is seeking a review of the information the EU provided to the Agreement on Safeguards.
This trade dispute has emerged at a sensitive time, as both India and the EU are engaged in intense negotiations to finalize a bilateral free trade agreement. The move to the WTO reflects New Delhi’s intent to protect its industrial interests while these broader economic discussions continue.