India has taken note of the latest tariff measures announced by the United States and discussions on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the two countries are continuing with the objective of concluding the pact at the earliest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the latest tariff announcement by the United States is a Section 301 enforcement action, initiated following a ruling by the US Supreme Court on tariff-related issues.
“We have taken note of the announcement. This is a Section 301 enforcement action and it was initiated following the US Supreme Court ruling on the tariff issue. We have made our position clear on this subject. Our discussions on the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the US side are continuing, with a view to concluding the BTA at the earliest,” Jaiswal said.
The remarks came after the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced revised tariff rates ranging from 10 to 12.5 per cent on imports from 60 economies under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The new duties came into effect on Friday.
Under the revised framework, India has been placed in the 10 per cent tariff category, along with 16 other economies, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico and Bangladesh.
According to official sources, India was initially expected to be placed in the higher 12.5 per cent tariff bracket but secured the lower rate following constructive engagement with the US on labour-related issues.
The USTR said the 10 per cent tariff applies to economies that have measures prohibiting imports produced through forced labour, have committed to such measures under reciprocal trade agreements, or maintain partial regulatory frameworks.
The tariff decision follows investigations launched by the USTR in March under Section 301 across 60 economies. The review included consultations with governments, public hearings and consideration of more than 1,600 written submissions.
-ANI
