New US report flags ‘Make in India’, other Indian policies as trade barriers
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: The US has once again raised objections to India’s trade policies, including key initiatives meant to support local manufacturing, casting a shadow on ongoing negotiations between the two nations for a bilateral trade agreement.
The 2025 National Trade Estimate report, published by the US Trade Representative, has flagged several trade barriers, including high tariffs, digital restrictions, and other policy decisions, urging India to make changes. The report, which covers 59 countries including Australia, Canada, the European Union, the UK, and Japan, comes at a crucial time as New Delhi and Washington continue discussions on a bilateral trade agreement.
A US delegation led by assistant US trade representative Brendan Lynch concluded their in-person talks in India last week, and the negotiations are set to resume virtually in the coming weeks. The bilateral trade agreement is crucial for India, especially with US President Donald Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariff policy set to kick in from 2 April.
Also read | India, US lay foundation for trade give-and-take One of the key concerns for the US remains India’s high import duties, particularly on agricultural products. The USTR report points to India’s tariffs of 150% on alcoholic beverages and 100% on walnuts and raisins, which Washington argues make it difficult for US goods to compete in the Indian market.
The USTR also flagged India’s restrictive non-tariff barriers, including import bans and licensing requirements for certain products. It also criticised India’s rules on animal-based oils, restrictions on refurbished medical devices, and import approvals for some medicines, arguing that these create unnecessary trade
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