The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced that Japan has notified the WTO’s dispute settlement body that it requests dispute consultations with the Indian government regarding safeguard duties imposed by India on imports of hot rolled flat products of non-alloy and other alloy steel in coils of a width of 600 mm or more, which entered into force in March last year, and also regarding the minimum import price (MIP) system on certain iron and steel products.
According to the WTO, Japan alleges the Indian measures are inconsistent with a number of procedural and substantive provisions of the WTO's safeguard agreement. Meanwhile, Japan is deeply concerned about the minimum import price (MIP) regime of India and considers that through this MIP system on iron and steel products, India appears to prohibit or restrict the importation of iron and steel products, thereby acting inconsistently with the WTO’s general agreement on tariffs and trade.
The WTO also stated that Taiwan requests to join in the consultations with the Indian government since it is not satisfied with India’s response over details about the MIP system on iron and steel products and explanations of how this MIP measure is in compliance with WTO agreements.