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US to announce trade enforcement action linked to India

Move could further rile relations after the Devyani Khobragade incident

Reuters Washington

The US trade representative on Monday will announce a trade enforcement action tied to India, a move that could further rile relations after the Devyani Khobragade incident.

US Trade Representative Michael Froman will discuss the action at a news conference at 2 pm. (1900 GMT), his office said on Sunday night. The Office of the US Trade Representative said it could offer no additional details.

On Friday, the US Chamber of Commerce called on Washington to ratchet up pressure on India over intellectual property rights, a move that could prevent Indian companies from producing cheap generic versions of medicines still under patent protection.

 

Also this week, the US International Trade Commission has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday to look into Indian trade and investment practices.

In a submission to the USTR, the Chamber of Commerce asked that India be classified as a Priority Foreign Country, a tag given to the worst offenders when it comes to protecting intellectual property and one that could trigger trade sanctions.

Other trade groups, including those representing the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries, echoed the call for a tougher stance on India.

India is on the US government's Priority Watch List for countries whose practices on protecting intellectual property Washington believes should be monitored closely.

The United States and India have been trying to get their relations back on track after the Khobragade incident.

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First Published: Feb 10 2014 | 8:41 AM IST

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