Mumbai, Aug. 19 -- India has moved closer to shielding its steelmakers from cheap imports, with the Commerce Ministry's trade remedies arm recommending anti-dumping duties on certain Vietnamese steel products. The move, if enforced, is set to boost giants like Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL).

Last week, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) proposed a duty of $121.5 per ton of hot-rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel from Vietnam. Once notified by the Centre, the duty will stay in effect for five years.

Hot-rolled coil (HRC) flats are key inputs for welded pipes and tubes, automobiles, and construction. With the tariff in place, Vietnamese steel will turn costlier than finished steel...