India to ban import of goods made using forced labour amid US probe
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India’s foreign trade body will investigate whether imported goods were made using forced labour.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- India has banned the import of goods made with forced labour to address concerns raised by a US trade investigation.
- The government will investigate imports for forced labour and can ban such goods after consultations.
- The new rule starts in 30 days and could help India avoid higher US tariffs amid ongoing trade probes.
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NEW DELHI – India has prohibited the import of goods produced using forced labour, the Trade Ministry said on July 14, in a move that could help avert new tariffs from a probe by the US.
The Asian nation is one of several countries facing proposed new US trade tariffs of up to 12.5 per cent over allegations that they have failed to prohibit the import of goods produced with forced labour.
The ministry’s notification, dated July 13, said it empowers “the central government to prohibit, by notification, the import of goods produced or manufactured, wholly or in part, through the use of forced labour”.
India’s foreign trade body will investigate whether imported goods were made using forced labour and, if evidence is found, recommend that the government ban imports of those products after consultations, according to the notification.
The notification will come into force after 30 days.
Like most countries, the bulk of goods from India currently face a 10 per cent US tariff. But Washington is expected to introduce steeper tariffs through two separate probes into forced labour and excess industrial capacity. REUTERS
