Piyush Goyal Says India Will Tackle Section 301
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said India does not need to worry about the United States’ Section 301 investigation, expressing confidence that New Delhi and Washington will finalise a good bilateral trade deal.
Piyush Goyal On Section 301 Tariffs
Goyal said India would tackle the Section 301 issue and protect national interests as trade negotiations with the United States continue. His remarks came after the Trump administration proposed additional tariffs on India and several other countries following a U.S. Trade Representative investigation.
The proposed tariffs relate to concerns over import rules linked to goods allegedly produced with forced labour. Goyal indicated that India is waiting to see the final form of the tariff action before deciding its response.
India-US Trade Deal Talks
The comments come as India and the United States move closer to finalising the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement. Goyal said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is expected to visit India in the coming weeks for further discussions.
He had earlier indicated that the first phase of the agreement could be completed by mid-July, with both sides working to close remaining issues.
India Seeks Preferential Market Access
India is seeking better market access and a competitive edge over other exporting countries under the proposed deal. Goyal said he remains confident that the agreement will be beneficial for India and help strengthen bilateral trade ties.
The talks are being closely watched by industry because any U.S. tariff action under Section 301 could affect Indian exporters. However, Goyal’s statement suggests the government believes the issue can be managed within the wider trade negotiation process.
