New Delhi, June 11 -- India is seeking product-specific exemptions from the United Kingdom's upcoming steel safeguard regime, particularly for MSME-linked steel products, as both countries work towards implementing their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), according to sources.

UK Steel Safeguard Regime Triggers Trade Concerns

The UK is set to introduce a new steel trade measure from July 1, 2026, under which tariff-free import quotas will be reduced by 60 percent and a 50 percent duty will be imposed on steel shipments exceeding the revised quota limits.

The issue has emerged as a key hurdle in the operationalisation of the India-UK trade agreement signed in July 2025, with discussions continuing between officials from both countrie...