NEW DELHI: India can cushion the impact of rising global tariffs by focusing on exports of high-value, cold-rolled steel components and other value-added products that attract lower import duties, said Dhirendra Sankhla, Director of Mother India Forming (MIF), a manufacturer of customised steel tubes and profiles.
The United States recently raised tariffs on Indian steel to 50 per cent, while the European Union is considering new levies — developments that have disrupted global steel trade and created uncertainty for markets such as the UK.
“The world challenged India with ‘Make in India’, and Indian manufacturers responded with ‘Made in India’ — delivering global quality and reliability. By transforming steel volumes into precision-engineered components, India has evolved from being a steel producer to a solutions provider,” Sankhla said.
Cold-roll sheet forming converts steel coils into engineered tubes, profiles, and components that are often classified differently for trade, helping manufacturers achieve cost efficiencies and downstream savings for original equipment makers.
By offering advanced services such as slitting, precision forming, surface treatment, and pre-assembly, Indian exporters can move up the value chain — from raw or semi-finished steel products, which face higher ad-valorem duties, to finished goods that enjoy lower tariffs and greater market acceptance, Sankhla explained.
“As tariffs fluctuate, the most resilient strategy is clear: add engineering value, ensure quality, and export finished products,” he said. “With strong capacity, improving technology adoption, and a competitive workforce, Indian firms can deliver precision profiles that meet global standards — safeguarding buyers from policy shifts while creating domestic value.”
India produced 149.4 million tonnes of crude steel in 2024, retaining its position as the world’s second-largest steel producer, according to the World Steel Association.
Cold-roll steel forming — a key manufacturing process — enables the shaping of steel into complex structural and aesthetic components used across industries such as construction, agriculture, automotive, and infrastructure.
Mother India Forming, engaged in precision and sheet-metal cold-roll forming, has emphasised innovation, technology integration, and cost-efficient, trade-aware production for its global clientele.
Sankhla noted that exports of high-value steel components not only boost GDP but also generate skilled employment in engineering, manufacturing, logistics, R&D, and supply chain management — enhancing India’s industrial competitiveness and trade revenue.
