NEW DELHI: The US Trade Representative in its latest report on Foreign Trade Barriers released on March 31 has underscored major trade barriers to American exports, foreign direct investment and e-commerce.

Duties have been increased across two large groups: Labour-intensive products and electronics and communication devices, such as cell phones, televisions, and related parts and components.

This comes days after the USTR proposed a retaliatory trade action — of up to 25% tariffs on basmati rice, seafoods and gold — against India for imposing equalisation levy on certain American companies.

This report has been issued by Joe Biden Administration's newly appointed USTR, Katherine Tai who replaced Ambassador Robert Lighthizer after Donald Trump lost the election last year. It has found India's trade policies discriminatory which creates both tariff and non-tariff-barriers and poses a threat to US trade and imports to India. Trade barriers include government laws, regulations and policies.

Earlier in January 2021, USTR had found India's Equalisation Levy as discriminatory and unreasonable, creating a significant new tax burden for the US companies and/or restricting US commerce -- forcing them to undertake costly compliance measures.

US companies across the board have complained that the latest interpretation means that even merchandise trade will be subject to Equalisation Levy. The new interpretation is increasing nervousness and fear of tax terrorism, due to the retrospective impact of such levy, even further.

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