International Trade Amicus, January 2026

Article

India-EU Free Trade Agreement: An overview

By Anjali Hirawat, Kedar Kokatay and Antara Bhide

India has concluded negotiations with the European Union (‘EU’) for the India-EU FTA on 27 January 2026, which is arguably the most significant FTA concluded by India in this decade considering that India and EU are two of the largest economies and top contributors to the Global GDP. The article in this issue of International Trade Amicus discusses the key sectors for the Indian importers and exporters, Rules of Origin, and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (‘CBAM’) which emerged as one of the most fiercely contested issues during the negotiations. The authors also take note of aspects like sensitive sectors, trade in services, focusing on SMEs, and reduced red tape. According to them, while the Agreement is yet to be adopted, signed and ratified, this time period can be effectively utilised by the businesses to analyse its impact on business operations, existing supply chains and proposed investments in order to optimise the benefits from this landmark deal.

Trade Remedy News
 

• Barium carbonate from India – EU imposes definitive anti-dumping duty
   
• Chromium Trioxide from India – USA initiates countervailing duty and Less-Than-Fair-Value investigations; and issues determination of material injury in both the investigations
   
• Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts from India – USA initiates anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations
   
• Ethambutol Hydrochloride from China PR and Thailand – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of provisional anti-dumping duty
   
• Flexible Slabstock Polyol of molecular weight 3000-4000 from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates – India extends anti-dumping duty till 17 July 2026
   
• Hexamethylenetetramine from India – USA issues countervailing and anti-dumping duty orders
   
• Normal Butanol or N-Butyl Alcohol from EU, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and USA – India extends anti-dumping duty till 12 July 2026
   
• Nylon 6 Chips and Granules with relative viscosity (RV) below 3 from China PR and Russia – India initiates anti-dumping investigation
   
• Oil Country Tubular Goods from India – Affirmative sunset reviews issued for anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty
   
• Oleoresin Paprika from India – USA issues preliminary determination in Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation postponed
   
• Phthalic Anhydride from China PR, Korea RP and Thailand – India initiates sunset review of anti-dumping duty
   
• Polyethylene Terephthalate Film, Sheet, and Strip from India – USA issues determination of provision of countervailing duty from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
   
• Quartz Surface Products from India – USA continues anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty orders after sunset review

WTO News
 

• USA’s certain tax credits under its Inflation Reduction Act found inconsistent with WTO agreements
   
• India’s measures concerning trade in automotive and renewable energy technology sectors – China seeks establishment of panel
   
• Fabricated structural steel – Australia initiates safeguard investigation
   
• Dry pastries and breakfast cereals – Madagascar launches safeguard investigation
   
• Plastic pipes and tubes and accessories – Madagascar initiates safeguard investigation
   
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and terephthalic acid – Türkiye initiates safeguard investigations

India Customs and Trade Policy Update
 

• Budget 2026 – Customs duty rate changes – Chaper-wise analysis
   
• Penicillin G-potassium, Amoxicillin Trihydrate and 6-APA – Minimum Import Price imposed
   
• Wheat flour and related products – Export of 5 LMT allowed, subject to conditions
   
• Umbrellas – Import Policy revised; MIP imposed
   
• Platinum articles – Import restricted
   
• Annual RoDTEP Returns can be filed till 31 March 2026 with composition fee

India FTA Update
 

• India-EU FTA – Turkish products excluded
   
• India, USA achieve breakthrough with trade deal