Representative image NEW DELHI: USTR has retained India on its Special 301 priority watch list, along with five other countries including China, and said it will engage with New Delhi, including through Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations. The annual report said India remained “inconsistent in its progress” on protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP).Vietnam was identified as a Priority Foreign Country, marking the first time in 13 years that a country is listed in that category. Over the next 30 days, USTR will decide whether to initiate an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 against Vietnam based on the grounds identified in the report. Argentina has moved out of the priority watch list, while the European Union has been added to the watch list due to US concerns over geographical indications and the recent provisional agreement on the EU General Pharmaceutical Legislation.Apart from India and China, others on the priority watch list included Russia, Indonesia, Chile and Venezuela.In the case of India, the USTR noted steps taken by govt to strengthen its IP regime, but also said that there was a “a lack of progress” on several long-standing concerns raised in earlier reports. “India remains one of the world’s most challenging major economies with respect to the protection and enforcement of IP,” the latest report released Thursday said.The chief concern is over the Indian Patents Act, which often questions applications filed by American companies, especially pharma majors, as well as the flexibility it allows govt. Long pendency has been a pet peeve in successive reports, and the latest one is no different.“Stakeholders also continue to raise concerns as to whether India has an effective system for protecting against the unfair commercial use, as well as unauthorised disclosure, of undisclosed test or other data generated to obtain marketing approval for pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical products,” the report said.It was also critical of India’s high customs duties directed to IP-intensive products such as information and communications technology (ICT) products, solar energy equipment, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and capital goods. The Trump administration has repeatedly attacked India on tariffs.The other concerns were familiar — weak enforcement of copyrights, trademarks & high levels of counterfeiting.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFuel Prices May Go Up Soon As Oil Firms Face Losses Amid Global Crude SpikeNine Dead As Tourist Boat Capsizes In Jabalpur, Survivors Allege Major Safety LapsesJPMorgan Executive Sued Over Sexual Abuse, Coercion And Racial Harassment Allegations In New YorkJabalpur Boat Tragedy: Mother Found Clutching Child After Bargi Dam Capsize, 9 DeadIndia Launches First Barrier-Less Toll System On NH-48: How MLFF Will Change Highway TravelTamil Nadu Poll Tension: Vijay’s TVK Office Set On Fire, Security Concerns RiseRahul Gandhi Flags Fuel Price Surge After ₹993 LPG Hike, Warns Petrol-Diesel Could Be NextPunjab Assembly Chaos | CM Bhagwant Mann Allegedly ‘Intoxicated’, Opposition Demands Alcohol TestPakistan admits fuel vulnerability amid global oil shock; compares energy security with IndiaCommercial LPG Surges Past ₹3000, Hotels Warn Of Price Hike Impact | Watch123PhotostoriesHow to make South Indian Tamarind Rice for summer lunchMaharashtra Day 2026: Chef Sanjeev Kapoor honours the culinary heritage of the stateBest time to do yoga: Morning vs evening; What works better for your body?How Raghav Chadha’s mango shake differs from a regular mango shake; details insideRaw mango vs ripe mango: Which is a safer, smarter choice for people living with diabetes?From Daffodils to Castor beans: 5 Plants that can be deadly for your pet dogSons vs daughters: 5 ways parents treat them differently without realising and the impact it leavesDo Mangoes cause body heat? What happens when you eat too many Mangoes, doctor explains6 simple tips to keep your pet safe during extreme heatwaveFeeling anxious or low? These common vitamin deficiencies could be the hidden reason123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingStock Market Holiday TodayBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: USTR has retained India on its Special 301 priority watch list, along with five other countries including China, and said it will engage with New Delhi, including through Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations. The annual report said India remained “inconsistent in its progress” on protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP).Vietnam was identified as a Priority Foreign Country, marking the first time in 13 years that a country is listed in that category. Over the next 30 days, USTR will decide whether to initiate an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 against Vietnam based on the grounds identified in the report. Argentina has moved out of the priority watch list, while the European Union has been added to the watch list due to US concerns over geographical indications and the recent provisional agreement on the EU General Pharmaceutical Legislation.Apart from India and China, others on the priority watch list included Russia, Indonesia, Chile and Venezuela.In the case of India, the USTR noted steps taken by govt to strengthen its IP regime, but also said that there was a “a lack of progress” on several long-standing concerns raised in earlier reports. “India remains one of the world’s most challenging major economies with respect to the protection and enforcement of IP,” the latest report released Thursday said.The chief concern is over the Indian Patents Act, which often questions applications filed by American companies, especially pharma majors, as well as the flexibility it allows govt. Long pendency has been a pet peeve in successive reports, and the latest one is no different.“Stakeholders also continue to raise concerns as to whether India has an effective system for protecting against the unfair commercial use, as well as unauthorised disclosure, of undisclosed test or other data generated to obtain marketing approval for pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical products,” the report said.It was also critical of India’s high customs duties directed to IP-intensive products such as information and communications technology (ICT) products, solar energy equipment, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and capital goods. The Trump administration has repeatedly attacked India on tariffs.The other concerns were familiar — weak enforcement of copyrights, trademarks & high levels of counterfeiting.
