India decides not to extend antidumping duties on China

NEW DELHI, India—The Indian government has decided not to extend antidumping duties on new tires from China for another three years.

The decision follows an earlier recommendation by India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) to extend the duties based on the findings of a recently conducted sunset review.

In a Dec. 15, 2022, memorandum to DGTR, the Indian ministry of finance said, "after considering final findings of the designated authority, it has decided not to accept the aforementioned recommendations."

The duties, initially imposed in 2017, cover imports of "new or unused pneumatic radial tires with or without tubes and/or flap of rubber (including tubeless tires) having nominal rim diameter code above 16 inches used for trucks and buses."

In its final findings announcement in September last year, DGTR said the review concluded that there was "positive evidence of likelihood of dumping and injury if the existing antidumping duties are allowed to cease."

As a result, the agency recommended that the government continue duties of $452.33/metric ton on all imports of the subject goods for a further period of three years.

The sunset review was launched upon a petition by the local Automotive Tyre Manufacturer's Association (ATMA) on behalf of Apollo Tyres Ltd., JK Tyre Industries Ltd. and MRF Ltd.

Other domestic producers such as Birla Tyres, Bridgestone India, Continental India, Michelin India and Ceat Ltd. did not participate in the review.

The production by the applicant companies constitutes more than 50 percent of the Indian production.