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International Trade Amicus, November 2025

International Trade Amicus, November 2025

08 Dec 20253 min read


Article

How national considerations are re-shaping critical mineral export policies in the face of constant WTO rules

By Pareesha Gupta and Abhishek Tripathi

While the geopolitical considerations increasingly govern the trade in critical minerals, the WTO legal framework governing export controls has remained largely unchanged, anchored around the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994. The article in this issue of International Trade Amicus examines how contemporary national policies in the critical-minerals sector interact with these enduring trade rules. The authors for this purpose analyse country-specific approaches to critical minerals, the WTO perspective, and discuss previous WTO disputes involving export restrictions on critical minerals. According to the authors, in achieving country-specific objectives, the rules-based WTO framework that promotes global trade predictability has visibly taken a backseat.

Trade Remedy News
 

  • Ceramic and Porcelain Wall and Floor Tiles, excluding finishing Ceramics, mosaic cubes and the like from India – South Africa initiates anti-dumping investigation
     
  • Clear Float Glass from Malaysia – India’s DGTR recommends continuation of anti-dumping duty after sunset review
     
  • Cold-rolled flat steel products from India – EU mandates registration of imports to allow for retroactive imposition of anti-dumping duty
     
  • Ferro-alloying elements from India – EU imposes definitive safeguard measures
     
  • Glycine from India – USA issues preliminary results and rescission, in part, of antidumping duty administrative review
     
  • Halo-Isobutene-Isoprene Rubber from China PR, Singapore and USA – India initiates anti-dumping investigation
     
  • Hot rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel from Vietnam – India imposes anti-dumping duty
     
  • Liquid Epoxy Resins from China PR, Korea RP, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Thailand – India imposes anti-dumping duty
     
  • Low Ash Metallurgical Coke from Australia, China PR, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan and Russia – India’s DGTR recommends provisional anti-dumping duty
     
  • Polyester Textured Yarn from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping investigation
     
  • Polystyrene from India – Türkiye determines anti-dumping duty
     
  • Raw honey from India – USA issues preliminary finding that sales not made at prices below normal value during 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024 (Administrative review)
     
  • Toluene Di-Isocyanate (TDI) from EU and Saudi Arabia – India’s DGTR recommends continuation of anti-dumping duty after sunset review
     
  • Woven Fabric (having more than 50% Flax content) from China PR and Hong Kong – India continues anti-dumping duty after sunset review


WTO News
 

  • WTO report on G20 Trade Measures – New tariff measures had milder than projected impact
     
  • Co-coordinators of Plastics Dialogue introduce draft MC14 ministerial statement
     
  • TRIPS Council explores technology transfer, pandemic preparedness, digital infrastructure


India Customs and Trade Policy Update
 

  • Cane molasses – Export duty abolished from 14 November 2025
     
  • Crude olive pomace oil – BCD reduced from 14 November 2025
     
  • Unstudded platinum articles of jewellery – Import restricted till 30 April 2026
     
  • Stainless Steel of J3 grade – Customs Assistance in Valuation Rules Order extended for one year
     
  • QCO exemption for import of steel from non-licensed manufacturer
     
  • Quality Control Orders for certain metals withdrawn
     
  • Quality Control Orders for certain chemicals and yarns withdrawn
     
  • Manufacture and other operations in warehouse/special warehouse – Online module launched for permissions under Section 65
     
  • Advance authorisations’ redemption in cases affected by erstwhile Rule 96(10) of CGST Rules – EODC not to be withheld in specified cases
     
  • SWIFT 2.0 – Unified Digital Single Window Platform upgraded – More partner government agencies onboarded for NOC processing
     
  • Electronic verification of details submitted in IEC application
     
  • Nepal transit – Additional route provided 


India FTA Update
 

  • Bahrain, India begin negotiations for ambitious trade deal
     
  • Canada, India agree to restart trade talks, push for $50 billion bilateral target by 2030
     
  • Chile, India to likely hold talks on proposed trade pact in December
     
  • EAEU, India reviews roadmap for proposed trade agreement
     
  • Israel and India decide to enter into negotiations for FTA
     
  • New Zealand, India near trade pact
     
  • Peru, India trade talks set to resume in January 2026
     
  • Thailand Commerce Minister asks India to resume FTA negotiations
     
  • UAE, India advance discussions on market access, data exchange and FTA roadmap


Ratio decidendi
 

  • Multi-functional audio video equipment also having radio broadcast receivers, with principal function of amplification, is classifiable under CTI 8518 40 00 – CESTAT Mumbai
     
  • Coke Breeze used for metallurgical process is eligible for exemption as ‘metallurgical coke’ – CESTAT Hyderabad