India slaps anti-dumping duty on water treatment chemical from China, Japan

India has imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to Rs. 86,116 (US$ 986) per tonne on 'Trichloro isocyanuric acid,' a chemical used for water treatment, imported from China and Japan. The duty to protect the domestic industry from cheap inbound shipments will remain in effect for five years, per a Ministry of Finance notification. The decision follows recommendations from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the investigative arm of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which found that domestic manufacturers had suffered "material injury" due to dumping from these countries.   

Anti-dumping measures like this ensure fair trade and provide a level playing field for local industries without restricting imports or unfairly inflating product costs. The DGTR conducts investigations and makes recommendations, while the Ministry of Finance takes the final decision, typically within three months. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) permits such duties if investigations confirm that dumping is causing harm. These duties usually remain in place for a few years and can be reviewed or extended. China and Japan, both key trading partners of India, fall under WTO regulations that allow anti-dumping duties to counteract below-cost imports. This measure is expected to protect Indian manufacturers from unfair pricing practices and stabilise the domestic market for chemicals. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.