Ministry of Commerce & Industry Says India Engaged with U.S. Over Proposed Tariffs Under Section 301 Investigation

New Delhi, June 3: The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has said that India is actively engaging with the United States following the conclusion of investigations by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, which could lead to additional tariffs on imports from several countries, including India.

According to the ministry, the USTR has completed investigations involving 60 economies over measures related to the import of goods. Following the review, the U.S. has proposed imposing additional tariffs on imports originating from these economies under Section 301 provisions.

The proposed measures are still under consideration and have not yet been finalized. The USTR has invited stakeholders to participate in the consultation process, with requests for public hearing participation open until June 22, 2026. Written submissions can be filed until July 6, while public hearings are scheduled for July 7.

Officials stated that the USTR will evaluate all comments, recommendations and testimonies received during the consultation period before taking a final decision on the tariff proposals.

Certain categories of products are expected to remain outside the scope of the proposed tariffs. These include goods already covered under Section 232 tariffs and some other specified product categories. The U.S. has also proposed a special mechanism for textile and apparel imports that could allow a designated volume of products from selected countries to enter the American market at reduced tariff rates.

The Commerce Ministry emphasized that India is continuing discussions with the United States as part of the ongoing Section 301 proceedings. Simultaneously, both countries are working toward finalizing a broader framework agreement that was announced earlier this year.

The proposed framework agreement follows commitments made during high-level bilateral engagements in February 2026 and is aimed at strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Government officials indicated that India will continue to closely monitor developments and engage with U.S. authorities to safeguard its trade interests while advancing efforts to deepen economic ties with one of its largest trading partners.

The latest consultations come at a time when India and the United States are seeking to expand bilateral trade, strengthen supply chain partnerships and enhance cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.