Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has called for a WTO-compliant approach to address global trade distortions, saying trade remedies such as anti-dumping and countervailing duties should be based on evidence and remain subject to judicial review.Speaking on the concluding day of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Goyal said industrial capacity itself should not be treated as a trade problem. He said distortions can emerge when production is concentrated because of hidden subsidies and other forms of government support.Key HighlightsPiyush Goyal called for WTO-consistent measures to address trade distortions.He said anti-dumping and countervailing duties should be evidence-based.India said it does not have structural excess capacity in sectors identified by the G20 Presidency.Goyal defended supply-chain diversification while warning against measures outside WTO rules.He called for protecting developing countries’ policy space.India backed the Most-Favoured-Nation principle and WTO consensus-based decision-making.Goyal also called for restoration of the WTO’s two-tier dispute settlement system.Goyal Calls for Evidence-Based Trade MeasuresGoyal said India shares concerns that trade-distorting support in some economies can contribute to dumping and predatory pricing. However, he stressed that such concerns should be addressed through measures consistent with World Trade Organization rules.He pointed to anti-dumping and countervailing duties as existing trade remedies, saying they should be supported by evidence and remain subject to judicial review.Goyal also cautioned against treating industrial capacity alone as evidence of unfair trade practices. According to the Commerce Ministry, he said distortions may arise when geographical concentration of production is driven by hidden subsidies and government support.India Rejects Structural Excess Capacity ClaimDuring the G20 discussions on structural excess capacity and production, Goyal said India does not have structural excess capacity in the sectors identified by the G20 Presidency.He said India's manufacturing capacity serves both domestic and global demand, while the country is developing manufacturing value chains from design through finished products.Goyal acknowledged that diversifying production and supply chains is a legitimate objective. However, he said diversification should not become a reason for adopting measures outside WTO rules or transferring the adjustment burden to developing countries.He also emphasised that developing economies need sufficient policy space to industrialise.(READ MORE : Piyush Goyal Invites US Manufacturers to Invest in India and Explore New Opportunities)Goyal Defends WTO and MFN PrincipleGoyal also spoke in support of the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle, describing it as an important part of a transparent, non-discriminatory and rules-based global trading system.He said MFN treatment helps ensure that the same trading terms apply to both smaller and larger economies. Goyal also stressed that consensus remains central to WTO decision-making and called for the preservation of special and differential treatment for developing countries.The minister further called for the restoration of the WTO's two-tier dispute settlement system.India Stresses Evidence-Based Action on Forced LabourGoyal also addressed forced labour in global supply chains, reaffirming India's commitment to eliminating the practice.He said trade measures at the border should be based on specific and verifiable evidence rather than assumptions about entire countries, regions or sectors. He added that such measures should follow due process and comply with WTO rules.Goyal noted that India has ratified International Labour Organization Conventions 29 and 105. He also said India amended its Foreign Trade Policy in July 2026 to prohibit imports of goods produced using forced labour.India Reaffirms Rules-Based Global TradeAt the meeting, Goyal reaffirmed India's support for a fair, transparent, open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.His remarks came as G20 trade ministers discussed structural excess capacity, the MFN principle, forced labour and the future of the multilateral trading system. Goyal also held bilateral meetings with trade ministers and representatives from several G20 members on the sidelines of the meeting.
