Kazakhstan has filed a dispute with the WTO against Indonesia over tariffs on HRC

Kazakhstan has initiated consultations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the additional duties imposed by Indonesia on imports of hot-rolled coils (HRC) originating in Kazakhstan. The relevant request was circulated among WTO members on April 15.

This is the first time Kazakhstan has acted as a complainant in the WTO dispute settlement system. The country believes that Indonesia’s actions violate several provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, the Agreement on Anti-Dumping Measures, and the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO.

Submitting a request for consultations marks the official start of the dispute within the organization. At this stage, the parties have the opportunity to negotiate and attempt to reach a mutually acceptable solution without proceeding to litigation.

If the consultations fail to yield results within 60 days, Kazakhstan will have the right to initiate the formation of an arbitration panel to hear the case. Such a step could lead to the formalization of the trade dispute and a further deterioration of relations between the countries.

As a reminder, in 2025, Kazakhstan increased steel production by 3.9% compared to 2024—to 4.27 million tons. Flat steel production last year grew by 6.4% year-on-year—to 2.88 million tons.