Metal and aluminium aren’t simply metals—they’re the hidden frontline of the worldwide commerce conflict, says Vedanta Chairperson Anil Agarwal. As India imposes a 12% safeguard obligation on metal imports, Agarwal is now pushing for related safety for aluminium.
“Everyone knows there are two nations central to the commerce conflict, US and China. However do you know there are two commodities additionally centrestage—metal and aluminium,” Agarwal wrote on X, framing the metals because the true financial weapons in play.
India’s new safeguard obligation, introduced in April, goals to defend native metal producers from a surge of low-cost imports that threaten to destabilize the home market. The obligation, set at 12% for 200 days, targets merchandise priced under international thresholds.
Agarwal applauded the transfer, however issued a transparent warning: aluminium is subsequent. “Huge gamers who’re shedding typical markets will look to promote low-cost in rising economies like India,” he cautioned. Given aluminium’s light-weight, recyclable qualities, its strategic worth is simply set to rise.
Pointing to the US’s 25% tariff on each metal and aluminium imports—affecting even allies like Canada and Mexico—Agarwal argued that India should act earlier than its market is flooded. “With our large bauxite reserves, India would be the aluminium hub for the world. An enormous downstream business will even come up,” he mentioned.
The message is obvious: safeguard duties aren’t simply tariffs, they’re shields for India’s financial future.
