UK’s steel curbs emerge as an early hurdle for FTA with India ahead of roll-out, is there a way out?

Synopsis The UK has extended safeguard measures on select steel imports; starting from July 1, 2026, it will reduce tariff-free quotas by 60% and impose a 50% duty on shipments beyond the limit. India’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK has hit an early hurdle just ahead of its implementation after the latter tightened steel safeguard measures. The Indian exporters and trade experts have raised concerns, saying that the curbs could dilute gains under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), particularly for steel and engineering exports. Last May, India and the UK finalised their trade negotiations and…