USTR report flags not just tariffs, but also non-tariff barriers, regulatory challenges from India

Since countries and companies around the world are awaiting the announcement by the United States from imposing a mutual tariff starting from April 2, a report issued by the US Trade Representative Office has put many identification and non -fire barriers that India meets on imports.

The 2025 National Trade Estimation Report (NTE) highlighted by USTR on March 31 that the average Applied Applied Applied Appliance rate in India (MFN) was 17 % in 2023, which was the highest major global economy, with the average applied tariff rate of 13.5 % for non -coronary goods and 39 % for agricultural goods.

The annual report, which evaluates the commercial policies of countries around the world and how they influence American exports, investments and digital trade, have about 15 pages on India’s policies and have caused problems about data localization, equation tax, policy import of laptops, subsidies, and lack of transparency regardless of definitions. In general, it covers 59 countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China and the European Union, regardless of India.

“Most issues are repeated previous reports. Few of them were resolved and no longer relevant,” indicated by the World Trade Research Initiative.

One of the main issues related to the definitions raised by the United States is about high import duties in India, especially on agricultural products. For example, India receives 150 % on alcoholic drinks and 100 % on nuts and raisins. The United States says this makes it difficult for their commodities to compete.

“India maintains various forms of non -carrier barriers: the prohibited or prohibited elements that have been rejected to India (example, fat, fat, and animal origin oils); elements that require a non -automatic import license (for example, some prior wealth products, approvals on medicines, and approvals for some of them are wealth, quantity, quantity, approval of medicines, and approval of medicines, and approval of medicines, and approval of medicines, and approval of medicines And approval of some of them from the drugs (the share of the customs tariff rate), “I noticed.

He also highlighted the issues related to the restrictions imposed on foreign direct investment in retail and banking services as well as barriers and an unequal institution for insurance companies by giving a sovereign guarantee to the policies provided by the Life Insurance Corporation in India. The report also indicated the closure of the Internet in India, noting that it was exposed to American services and the digital economy.

The report is also important as India and the United States are working on a bilateral trade agreement and hoped to complete the first segment by the fall of 2025. While it is expected that the tariff issues will be dealt with in the first tranche of the commercial agreement, as many incurable barriers may be made in subsequent talks.

“While the United States continues to pressure India to amend its commercial policies to serve American commercial interests, India must evaluate each request firmly through a lens of its national priorities, development goals, and cultural values. Many proposed changes – in areas such as agriculture, digital governance, and public health – serious risks to its ability to protect its smallest farmers, and regulate excitement.

A report issued by PWC indicated that advanced American trade policies, including reorganizing the tariffs and other measures, require Indian companies to develop a long -term elastic strategy. The IDEA framework – investment, diversification, expression, and remaining knowledgeable – provides an organized approach to navigating in aspects of commercial uncertainty and opportunities arising from benefiting from that.