Indonesia Calls on EU to Lift Stainless Steel Tariffs After WTO Ruling

Indonesia has called on the European Union (EU) to lift anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on its stainless steel exports after a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel ruled that some EU measures breach global trade rules.

The WTO decision, released on Thursday, found that EU tariffs on cold-rolled flat stainless steel products from Indonesia were inconsistent with WTO rules on subsidies and anti-subsidy measures. The bloc was asked to bring its policies into line with international trade obligations.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso called the ruling a milestone:

“This victory is a major achievement in securing broader market access for Indonesian stainless steel. We urge the EU to respect the WTO decision and immediately lift the illegal tariffs,” he said in a ministry statement.

The EU imposed anti-dumping duties ranging from 10.2% to 20.2% in November 2021, followed by countervailing duties of up to 21.4% in 2022. Indonesia argues that the measures have severely restricted its exports to Europe and has filed a formal complaint with the WTO in 2023.

Jakarta said it will continue to monitor the process to ensure the ruling is implemented, stressing the importance of swift compliance to reopen access to the European market.

The case is part of a broader trade row between Indonesia and the EU, which ended talks on a free trade agreement last month. Just days earlier, the EU also announced it would appeal another WTO ruling in Indonesia’s favor regarding biodiesel import tariffs.

What next?

After the WTO panel’s ruling, the EU can choose to comply, amend its measures, or appeal the ruling. The timing of the changes will depend on the legal steps taken in Geneva and Brussels.

Source: Reuters — 3 October 2025.