US targets India with forced labour tariff amid talks on trade pact

New Delhi ( The Indian View team) : The United States has proposed an additional tariff of 12.5% on ‌imports from India, saying it is among 60 economies that failed to curb imports made with forced labour, a step that threatens to complicate two-way trade talks underway in New Delhi.

The proposal by the U.S. Trade Representative's office came on the second of three days of talks between Indian trade officials and a U.S. delegation led by Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch.

India "has failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labour import prohibition," the office said in a ⁠92-page report on Tuesday that called the South Asian nation's policies unreasonable and a burden on U.S. commerce.

The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable," U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said.

India remains engaged with the United States on the matter as a part of Section 301 proceedings," it said in a statement, adding that New Delhi was also engaged with Washington on finalising a framework agreement unveiled in February.