India became a net importer of finished steel in April 2026, reversing a period of strong export growth. A surge in low-cost imports, mainly from China, overwhelmed domestic supply. India's total trade deficit reached twenty-eight-point-four billion US dollars that month. The government responded by imposing a three-year import tariff of up to twelve percent on certain steel products. Industry bodies say stronger measures are needed to protect domestic producers and India's long-term steel capacity goals