Explained: The USTR 301 probe which must be resolved before India-US trade deal
An Indian trade official said on Monday that a two-way trade deal under negotiation between India and the United States can only be finalised once the USTR Section 301 probe concludes. The USTR in March launched two unilateral Section 301 investigations against a number of countries, including India. (PTI/File) The investigation, launched by the United States Trade Representative against India and other countries, probes unfair trade practices. The Indian trade official further stated that New Delhi would further seek assurances from Washington that it would not be subjected to additional tariffs in the future after the trade deal, Reuters news agency reported. What is the Section 301 probe? The USTR in March launched two unilateral Section 301 investigations against a number of countries, including India. This was done over excess capacity and failures to eradicate forced labour in global supply chains. According to USTR, the section has been imposed over failure to “effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.” In a statement issued by the US trade body, it …
