India has urged major economies to address unfair trade through existing World Trade Organization rules after G20 trade ministers ended their Milwaukee meeting without consensus on structural excess capacity. The Commerce Ministry published Piyush Goyal's position on October 2, following the meeting's October 1 conclusion in the United States.
Goyal argued that industrial capacity alone should not be treated as a problem. He said hidden subsidies and geographically concentrated production could distort markets, but responses should use evidence-based anti-dumping or countervailing measures subject to judicial review. India, he said, has no structural excess capacity in the sectors identified by the G20 presidency.
The Financial Express reported that the meeting also failed to reach consensus on forced-labour measures, although members agreed on opposing the weaponisation of food. Associated Press independently reported the lack of agreement on excess capacity and forced labour.
India defended the WTO's non-discrimination principle, consensus-based decisions and special treatment for developing economies. Goyal also sought restoration of its two-tier dispute-settlement system. On forced labour, he supported action but said border restrictions should rely on specific, verifiable evidence rather than assumptions about whole countries, regions or industries. The discussions therefore produced stated national positions without resolving the central disagreements.