



India-EU FTA: Carbon tax relief may open EU market for Indian steel
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. MUMBAI : The free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) promises preferential treatment for Indian industries under the bloc’s carbon tax mechanism, potentially opening up export opportunities for domestic steelmakers, which remain largely focused on the local market.
At the same time, experts said the removal of import duties on European steel will have little impact on India’s steel industry, as that remains costlier than domestically produced product due to the continent's higher labour and power costs and stricter emission standards. Europe is planning to levy a surcharge on imports in highly polluting industries like steel, aluminium, cement, and fertilizers under its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Steel is the only sector within the CBAM's purview with significant exports from India to Europe. While the scheme is in force from January, levies will begin only later in 2026.
The two trading partners will set up technical dialogue to explore preferential access for Indian manufacturers to the European market under the CBAM, Indian officials said during a press briefing on Tuesday. Allowing computation of credits accrued under a future Indian carbon trading system is also being explored, they said, adding that an outcome should be expected in six to eight months.
Meanwhile, European negotiators have promised India automatic access to any preferential agreement struck with any other trading partner. “The EU has come in with a new set of proposals on steel and we have agreed in good faith to work together towards a very preferential treatment as an FTA partner, so that India gets a better deal than most other countries with whom the EU does not
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