The government of India has displayed an official calm as U.S. President Donald Trump plans to implement a 25% steel tariff and an aluminum tariff starting on March 4. Official statements downplayed the impact of steel exports to the United States because India sent 95,000 tonnes to that market during the previous year amid its total steel production of 145 million tonnes. Union Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik declared that “The absence of 95,000 tonnes from exports does not create any major concern.”
Expert analysts foresee that these new steel and aluminum trade policies will create extra global surplus which will negatively affect Indian steel manufacturers who are currently dealing with market import competition and decreased pricing. The steel export activity for Indian producers became tougher according to Hui Ting Sim from Moody’s who expressed this opinion.
These tariffs constitute part of a larger U.S. trade initiative that threatens a complete import ban to BRICS member countries who discontinue using the U.S. dollar in international transactions. India lacks official statements regarding new U.S. trade policies while its approval for the Chabahar port project with Iran remains uncertain. 
India takes a restrained stance regarding global trade tensions because experts believe the market conditions will become more competitive.
