SMU Data and Models

US, India Reach Trade Accord Involving Steel
June 22, 2023
The US and India have agreed to end six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO), some directly involving steel, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Thursday.
Also, USTR Tai said that India has agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs, which it had imposed as a response to the US Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminum, among other products.
“As a result of our work, US agricultural producers and manufacturers will now enjoy renewed access to a critical global market and we will strengthen our trade relationship with one of our closest partners,” Tai said in a press release.
She added that the resolution “maintains the integrity of the US Section 232 measures.”
The WTO disputes can be found below. Three were initiated by India and three by the US.
- US – Countervailing Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products from India (DS436)
- India – Certain Measures Relating to Solar Cells and Solar Modules (DS456)
- US – Certain Measures Relating to the Renewable Energy Sector (DS510)
- India – Export Related Measures (DS541)
- US – Certain Measures on Steel and Aluminum Products (DS547)
- India – Additional Duties on Certain Products from the US (DS585)
The announcement comes as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US for an official state visit.
SMU will delve into the agreement in further depth in the coming days.
By Ethan Bernard, ethan@steelmarketupdate.com
Latest in SMU Data and Models

SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment rebounds from multi-year low
Both of SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices edged higher this week. Current Sentiment rebounded from a near five-year low, while Future Sentiment rose to a two-month high

SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

SMU Survey: Sheet lead times pull back after early-June blip, plate holds
Following the uptick seen two weeks ago, lead times eased this week for all four sheet products tracked by SMU, while plate lead times held steady, according to this week’s market survey.

SMU Survey: Pricing power abruptly shifts to steel buyers
The majority of steel buyers responding to our latest market survey say domestic mills are more willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were earlier this month. Sheet negotiation rates rebounded across the board compared to early June, while our plate negotiation rate hit a full 100%.

Service centers: Mill orders down marginally in May
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) declined for a third straight month in May, but only marginally.