International Trade Amicus, September 2026

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Article

Benchmarking in countervailing duty investigations: An analysis between the Indian and the EU approach

By Pareesha Gupta and Ekta Agarwal

The article in this issue of International Trade Amicus compares Indian and EU benchmarking methodologies in countervailing duty investigations under Article 14 of the SCM Agreement. The authors highlight that while the EU adopts a more structured and expansive approach, frequently constructing alternative benchmarks based on external market references where domestic prices, lending rates, land-use rights, or input costs are affected by pervasive state intervention, Indian authorities, in contrast, generally adopt a more cautious and evidence-driven approach, relying on alternative benchmarks only in limited situations and, in several cases, refraining from quantification where sufficient evidence is not available on record. According to the authors, As countervailing investigations increasingly involve economies where government intervention plays a significant role, a thorough understanding of benchmarking methodologies remains essential for exporters, importers, and practitioners alike.

Trade Remedy News

·       1-(3,5,5,6,8,8-hexamethyl-6,7-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl) ethenone from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends provisional anti-dumping duty

·       4-Aminodiphenyl-amine (4-ADPA) from China PR and EU – India’s DGTR recommends definitive anti-dumping duty

·       6-Amino Penicillanic Acid (6-APA) from China PR and EU – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Alloy Steel Chisel/tool and Hydraulic Rock Breaker in fully assembled condition from China PR and Korea RP – India initiates ADD Anti-circumvention investigation in respect of import from Malaysia

·       Aluminium foil 80 micron and below from China PR, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand – India’s DGTR recommends continuation of anti-dumping duty after sunset review

·       Amoxycillin Trihydrate from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Belting Fabric made of 80% or more of polyester or nylon from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       BIS (2,2,6,6 Tetramethyl-4-Piperidyl) Sebacate from EU and China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Borosilicate Table and Kitchen Glassware from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Calcined Gypsum Powder from Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE – India extends anti-dumping duty till 16 March 2027

·       Calcium Carbonate Filler Masterbatch from Vietnam – India imposes definitive countervailing duty

·       Caprolactam from China PR, Russia, Thailand and USA – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Carbon and Alloy Steel Threaded Rod from India – USA initiates countervailing duty administrative review

·       Ceramic Tableware and Kitchenware excluding Knives and Toilets items from China PR – India initiates sunset review of anti-dumping duty

·       Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) Resin, whether or not further processed into compound, from China PR and Korea RP – India initiates ADD anti-circumvention investigation on imports from Malaysia, Japan and Thailand

·       Clavulanic Acid and its Amine Salt from China PR and EU – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Clear Float Glass from Indonesia and Malaysia – India’s DGTR recommends countervailing duty on imports from Malaysia

·       Cold rolled stainless steel sheets and coils from India – EU issues notices for initiation of interim review of anti-subsidy and anti-dumping measures

·       Cold rolled stainless steel sheets and coils from India – EU issues notices for expiry review of anti-subsidy and anti-dumping measures

·       Cold-Drawn Mechanical Tubing from India – USA initiates anti-dumping duty administrative review

·       Common alloy aluminum sheet from India – USA issues final results of changed circumstances reviews. ADD and CVD to be revoked in part with respect to certain aluminum can stock.

·       Copolymer Polyol Of hydroxyl value >=23.5 from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Copper data cables from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Copper Tubes and Pipes from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam – India initiates sunset review of countervailing duty

·       Counterbalance Forklifts from China PR and Japan – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from India – USA issues affirmative countervailing duty determination and determination of sales at less fair value

·       Décor paper from China PR – India extends anti-dumping duty till 26 March 2027

·       Ethambutol Hydrochloride from China PR and Thailand – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber from India – USA initiates anti-dumping duty administrative review

·       Flat Rolled Aluminium Products from China PR – India’s sunset review of anti-dumping duty recommends continuation of duty

·       Freight rail couplers and parts thereof from India – USA issues affirmative countervailing duty determination and determination of sale at less than fair value

·       Glufosinate and its Salts from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends modification of anti-dumping duty after anti-absorption investigation

·       Glycine from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Grain-oriented flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel from India – EU imposes provisional safeguard measures

·       Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Blends from China PR – India’s sunset review of anti-dumping duty recommends continuation of duty

·       Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Component R-125 from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends anti-dumping duty

·       Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) component R-32 from China PR – India’s sunset review of anti-dumping duty recommends continuation of duty

·       Insoluble Sulphur from China PR – India initiates countervailing duty investigation

·       Insoluble Sulphur from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends modification in anti-dumping duty after anti-absoption investigation

·       Internally Grooved Copper Tubes and Pipes from China PR, Thailand and Vietnam – India initiates anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations

·       Isopropyl Alcohol from EU, South Korea, Taiwan and USA – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Jute products from Bangladesh and Nepal – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of countervailing duty while Ministry of Finance re-quantifies anti-dumping duty after mid-term review

·       Large diameter graphite electrodes from India – USA issues preliminary affirmative determination of sales at less-than-fair-value

·       Linear hydraulic cylinders and parts thereof from India – USA initiates countervailing duty and less-than-fair-value investigations

·       Melamine from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Mobile covers from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Montelukast Sodium from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       N,N′-Dicyclohexyl Carbodiimide from China PR – India initiates sunset review of anti-dumping duty

·       Oil country tubular goods from India – USA issues affirmative sunset reviews for anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty

·       Organophosphonates – Phosphonic Acids viz., (I)HEDP Acid and (II) ATMP Acid from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Paper Shopping Bags from India – USA initiates anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty administrative reviews

·       Para-Tertiary Butyl Phenol from China PR and Taiwan – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Para-tert-Octyl Phenol Formaldehyde Tackifier Resin from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping duty

·       Penicillin G and its salts from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Pentaerythritol from Russian Federation – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Perfluoroalkoxy Alkane from India – USA initiates countervailing duty and sale-less-than-fair-value investigations and issues affirmative injury finding for ADD and CVD

·       Persulphates from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Polyethylene Terephthalate (Pet) Film from India – USA initiates anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty administrative reviews

·       Polyethylene Terephthalate Film from Bangladesh, China PR and Thailand – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Printed Circuit Board Tools from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Sodium Cyanide from China PR and EU – India initiates mid-term review of anti-dumping duty

·       Sodium Hydrosulphite from China PR – India’s sunset review of anti-dumping duty recommends continuation of duty

·       Steel wire ropes and cables from India – EU issues notice for initiation of anti-dumping investigation

·       Toluene Di-Isocyanate (TDI) from China PR, Japan and Korea RP – India initiates sunset review of anti-dumping duty

·       T-Shaped Elevator/Lift Solid Guide Rails from China PR – India initiates anti-dumping investigation

·       Uncoated writing and printing paper from Indonesia – India initiates countervailing duty investigation

·       Wallpapers from China PR – India’s DGTR recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty

·       Welded stainless steel line and pressure pipe from India – USA issues affirmative injury finding in anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations

 WTO News

·       EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and emissions trading scheme to be reviewed by DSB Panel

·       WTO Committee on Agriculture discuss Australia’s counter-notification for India’s sugarcane market price support

·       Flat steel products with polymer coating – Russia initiates safeguard investigation

·       Rice – Madagascar initiates safeguard investigation on certain varieties

 India Customs and Trade Policy Update

·       RoDTEP scheme extended till 31 December 2026

·       FTA imports – Requirement of Form-I under India-UK FTA and application of earlier determination to subsequent imports clarified

·       Eligible Manufacturer Importer scheme – Documentation norms relaxed

·       Exemption from RCMC for low value exports

·       Edible oils, crude or refined – BCD reduced

·       Textile exports – Mandatory declaration of ‘Flame Retardant Fabric’ from 1 November 2026

·       Cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices – Import clearance checklists issued

·       Chemicals – Sulfadiazine API and ATS-8 – Minimum Import Price extended till 30 November 2026

·       Paper – Virgin multi-layer paper board – Minimum Import Price extended for 6 months

 India FTA Update

·       India-New Zealand FTA to come into force on October 20

·       India-EU FTA to be signed on December 16

·       Canada optimistic about concluding trade talks with India by year-end

·       India seeks payment-system links in every FTA

·       India, Qatar agree to accelerate FTA and bilateral investment treaty talks

·       India fast-tracks new BIT with Russia, seeks early conclusion of EAEU FTA