US Opens Global Trade Probes
The US government has launched global trade probes focusing on India, China, and 14 other countries under Section 301 for alleged unfair practices, raising the possibility of new tariffs.
The investigations will focus on digital services taxes adopted by India and other countries, which the U.S. argues unfairly discriminate against American companies. These taxes often target revenue from digital giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. The probes could result in retaliatory tariffs on goods from the targeted nations. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the U.S. to impose duties or other restrictions on countries that engage in unfair trade practices. Besides India, the investigations will also cover countries like China, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The U.S. Trade Representative's office is compiling data and soliciting public comments to build its case.
