Forced labour farce: On India and the U.S.’s new tariffs
The article critiques new U.S. tariffs on Indian imports, labeling them a strategic maneuver to force trade deals rather than a genuine effort to combat forced labor. It highlights how the U.S. uses trade policy to pressure nations while exempting allies with existing trade agreements.
Why it matters
These trade policies impact global supply chains and highlight the shifting geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and emerging economies like India.
The 10% tariff that the United States has imposed on India and several other countries over their imports of goods supposedly made using forced labour is merely an attempt to restore permanent tariffs and, once again, highlight the benefits of a trade deal with the U.S. The U.S. Supreme Court’s February 2026 decision dealt a body blow to the U.S.’s attempts to secure trade deals. The main threat, of high reciprocal tariffs, had been removed. U.S. President Donald Trump’s solution, of a temporary 10% tariff on all countries, suffered from two weaknesses: it would expire in 150 days, and was levied on all countries equally, regardless of whether they had a deal with the U.S. or not. Those tariffs have now expired. The Section 301 ‘forced labour’ tariffs announced last week are more permanent, and have carved out benefits for those with trade deals with the U.S.
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