Special 301 Report

The US has grouped India along with China and Russia on a priority watchlist of nations against which it might take action for inadequate protection to intellectual property (IP) of American companies.

• The 2025 Special 301 Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of U.S. trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights by the US Trade Representative (USTR) has again put India on the ‘Priority Watch List’ that also includes Argentina, Chile, Indonesia, Mexico and Venezuela.

• For countries failing to address U.S. concerns, USTR will take appropriate actions, which may include enforcement actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act or pursuant to World Trade Organization (WTO) or other trade agreement dispute settlement procedures, the USTR said.

• Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the US to take actions against countries that engage in unfair or discriminatory trade practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. These actions can include imposing tariffs, investigative trade practices and even retaliatory measures.