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Tarun Kumar Daga on Battling China’s Steel Surge: Tata Steel’s Thailand Strategy

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In the expansive world of steel production, few nations have made as much of a splash in recent years as China. The dragon nation is breathing fire into the global steel markets, casting its formidable shadow over various regions. Much of this can be attributed to China’s relentless surge in steel exports, and if there’s a country feeling the heat, it’s Thailand. Tata Steel (Thailand), a storied wing of India’s largest steel titan, finds itself pinched in this tightening vice.

Now, just imagine: You’re sitting by a brawny furnace in the industrial heart of Bangkok. The heat is intense. Your heartbeat quickens as you realize the unseen waves from across the Great Wall — China’s steel barrage. Throughout the first half of 2025, China, with its smelting might, dispatched a jaw-dropping 58.2 million tonnes of steel worldwide, a number that represents a significant leap of 9.2% compared to the same period last year. The vast Asian expanse absorbed the lion’s share, with Thailand smack dab in the middle of this steel storm.

Tarun Kumar Daga, the President and CEO of Tata Steel (Thailand), has been front and center observing a steep incline in imports of Chinese wire rod steel. In just the first six months of 2025, Thailand experienced a striking 57% rise in these imports, culminating in 535,000 tonnes — a staggering portion of the 781,000 tonnes of total wire rod steel that rolled into the nation.

Photo of Tarun Kumar Daga

For the local Thai steelmakers, this is akin to playing a heated game of poker where the deck is unequivocally stacked against them. Wire rod steel, the humble yet mighty backbone for construction and the automotive sphere, is subjected to the whims of cheaper Chinese alternatives. Over the past five years, China’s global steel statistics have ballooned, climbing from 53.7 million tonnes in 2020 to a jaw-dropping 117 million tonnes by 2024.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has been sounding the alarms, urging the powers that be to take definitive steps to manage the domestic landscape. Their plea? Be wary of the impending surplus that could tip the balance against local producers. The FTI projects that steel demand in Thailand will hover steadily at about 16 million tonnes this year, a plateau powered by both governmental and private investments in infrastructure.

Photo courtesy of NDTV

Adding a twist to this tale, the political winds have changed course in the West. President Donald Trump, with his characteristic flair, recently doubled US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to a whopping 50%. Though Thailand steers clear of directly exporting steel to the US, these shifts cause ripples that touch distant shores. Tarun Kumar Daga remarked, “While we steer clear of direct ramifications from the US tariff changes, vigilance over any future trade transformations is paramount.”

In an intriguing subplot to this unfolding narrative, tense interactions at the Thai-Cambodian border have been a watchful concern. However, Tata Steel (Thailand) has strategically dialed down its exports to the Cambodian market over the past year and a half to mitigate potential disruptions.

A noteworthy highlight from the fiscal first quarter (April to June 2025) hints at a silver lining for Tata Steel (Thailand). The company reported a 9.3% climb in year-on-year total sales, scaling to 338,000 tonnes according to the Bangkok Post. Domestic sales enjoyed a healthy 12.6% climb, while exports took a slight dip by 5.45% down to 52,000 tonnes. Revenue managed to stay consistent at 6.83 billion baht, even as profits soared by an astronomical 410% to 474 million baht, fueled by meticulous cost-cutting measures.

The fierce steel storm, electrified by China’s formidable export power, poses both challenges and moments of triumph for Thailand’s steel players. As the story unfolds, echoes of strategic adjustments and market responses seem poised to turn this saga into an epic clash of titans.

29 Comments

  1. Samantha Green August 7, 2025

    Isn’t it inevitable that economies with cheaper production costs outperform others? Tata Steel should focus on diversifying markets rather than just battling China.

    • Kiara89 August 7, 2025

      I agree. But easier said than done when China’s essentially controlling the market with their prices.

      • Samantha Green August 7, 2025

        True. Maybe strategic collaborations with other Southeast Asian countries could be a way forward?

  2. John Doe August 7, 2025

    The US tariff increase just complicates things further. Protectionism isn’t a long-term solution for anyone!

    • Ravi Tripathi August 7, 2025

      Exactly! Those tariffs indirectly affect global prices. But hey, every country protecting its own interests, right?

  3. EcoWarrior August 7, 2025

    Everyone’s so focused on production and sales numbers, but what about the environmental impact of all this steel production?

    • SteelGuru92 August 7, 2025

      Valid point, but unfortunately the environmental debate always takes a back seat to economic gains. Maybe we should push for better regulations?

  4. geekyallen August 7, 2025

    Tata seems to be navigating well with a reported growth in domestic sales. I wonder how long this could continue though.

    • HolisticHarry August 7, 2025

      Until China decides to focus further on the Thai market. Strategic vigilance is key for Tata at this point.

    • geekyallen August 7, 2025

      Yep, they need to stay one step ahead. The international playing field is ruthless.

  5. Kavita P. August 7, 2025

    I think it’s all political. Countries will always maneuver for dominance using tariffs and trade tactics.

    • PoliticoPete August 7, 2025

      It’s a game of chess. Sometimes, it’s about making the opponent move first.

  6. Liam August 7, 2025

    I’m just fascinated by how much steel China is producing! How is that even possible?

    • Anna Dawson August 7, 2025

      It’s their workforce and resources. They’ve massively industrialized over the years.

  7. GregNotNorman August 7, 2025

    With the tension at the Thai-Cambodian border, how wise is it to still consider that as a market?

    • JulesT August 7, 2025

      Good point. They should focus on stable markets, though risks are everywhere.

  8. SteelCritic August 7, 2025

    Steel prices will eventually stabilize. It’s a cyclical business, but market forces need balance.

  9. harsh.truth August 7, 2025

    Profits soaring by 410%? That just proves cost-cutting can do wonders.

  10. Catherine L. August 7, 2025

    The Federation of Thai Industries has a tough job. Balancing imports and domestic production is no easy feat.

    • Nina August 7, 2025

      Their projections on steel demand show they at least know the numbers well.

  11. Ethan H. August 7, 2025

    What happens if China continues to ramp up their production? Is it even sustainable?

    • joan.shutter August 7, 2025

      If demand keeps equating to production, it could be. Otherwise, it’s a bubble waiting to burst.

  12. PracticalPaul August 7, 2025

    Why doesn’t Tata Steel just adapt? Evolve with the times or get left behind.

  13. steelevolution August 7, 2025

    The whole situation reminds me of an economic cold war. Power struggles in the industrial sector are intense.

  14. InnovativeIvy August 7, 2025

    I think tech advancements should be the focal point. Innovations could provide that competitive edge over China.

    • Samuel F. August 7, 2025

      Exactly. Innovation in production and distribution could change the game for Tata Steel.

  15. EconomistElla August 7, 2025

    Stable revenue but increased profits? Cost-cutting might be effective now, but it’s a short-term fix.

  16. Philippe22 August 7, 2025

    If they’re already reporting growth, then Thailand might just withstand this storm. Impressive resilience, I’d say.

    • RealistRay August 7, 2025

      Resilient for now. The game changes fast in the international arena.

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