JSW Warns Against Cheap Steel Imports as Chinese Shipments Spike

India should be on its toes regarding a possible influx of cheap steel imports, especially from China, says JSW Steel joint MD Jayant Acharya. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Acharya voiced his concerns regarding a rise in volumes of iron and carbon steel being imported into India at dumped prices, notwithstanding the imposition of a 12% safeguard duty by the government.

According to the customs data of China, steel imports from China swelled to 264,854 tons in June, marking the highest monthly volume since October. Although imports in the first half of 2025 are still way lower than what they were last year, the sudden sharp rise in the month is again raising fresh concerns for the domestic steel industry.

Acharya added that U.S. tariffs on Chinese steel caused a diversion of trade, with oversupplied material now being routed toward fast-growing economies like India. “India’s rapid infrastructure expansion makes it vulnerable to global market distortions,” he said.

For JPW Steel, the earnings picture looks bright, with profits more than doubling in response to tough global conditions, disproving the many analysts who had lowered their expectations. The outlook for the long-term growth story of India is still firmly supported by the company.

“India will continue being our primary growth market, backed by strong demand for construction and infrastructure,” added Acharya.

JSW, which currently runs at an annual steelmaking capacity of 35.7 million tonnes, with almost 96% being in India, intends to increase this to 42 million tonnes by September 2027 and to 50 million tonnes by 2030, thus identifying India as the focal point in its strategy of expansion of capacity.

As the country ramps up its infrastructure and manufacturing ambitions, Acharya’s cautionary note underpins the need for vigilant policymaking to shield Indian steelmakers from possible dumping and unfair trade practices.