NEW DELHI, Feb 13: The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under the commerce ministry has suggested implementing an anti-dumping duty ranging from USD 460 to USD 681 per tonne on Chinese imports of a chemical used in the paper and paint industries.
This duty is intended to protect domestic manufacturers of ‘Titanium Dioxide’ from the influx of low-cost imports from China.
The DGTR’s final report indicates that this chemical is being exported to India at prices below its normal value, which constitutes dumping.
According to the directorate’s notification, these imports have significantly suppressed prices in the domestic market.
“As a result, the authority recommends the imposition of a definitive anti-dumping duty on these imports,” the report stated.
The finance ministry will make the final decision regarding the imposition of these duties.
The investigation by the DGTR was initiated following requests from Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd, Travancore Titanium Products, and VV Titanium Pigments.
Titanium dioxide is renowned for being the brightest and whitest pigment available, utilized across various industries such as paints, coatings, plastics, paper, rubber, and inks.
Anti-dumping investigations by countries are aimed at assessing the impact of cheap imports on domestic industries.
In response, anti-dumping duties are imposed under the multilateral framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which both India and China are a part of, governing global trade norms.
This duty aims to foster fair trading practices and ensure a level playing field for domestic producers in comparison to foreign competitors and exporters.
India has previously implemented anti-dumping duties on numerous products to combat low-cost imports from various countries, including China.
From April to November 2024-25, China has become India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling USD 83.62 billion (USD 9.2 billion in exports and USD 74.41 billion in imports), leading to a trade deficit of USD 65.2 billion during this time.
Additionally, in a separate notification, the DGTR has recommended a countervailing duty on imports of specific glass types utilized in the solar industry from Vietnam.
Borosil Renewable Ltd has requested an anti-subsidy investigation regarding imports of “Textured Tempered Coated and Uncoated Glass” from Vietnam.
The directorate’s findings indicated that domestic producers have been adversely affected by these subsidized imports.
“The authority believes that a definitive countervailing duty is necessary to counteract the subsidization and resulting injury to the domestic industry. Therefore, it is deemed essential to recommend the imposition of a definitive countervailing duty on these imports,” it remarked.
The recommended duties on the glass imports range from USD 593 to USD 664 per tonne.
(PTI)
