New Delhi, July 24 -- The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has questioned the rationale behind the United States' decision to impose a 10 per cent Section 301 forced-labour tariff on Indian exports, saying the measure is not backed by evidence and appears intended to preserve existing trade barriers.

"The 10% U.S. tariff on Indian exports under the forced-labour investigation lacks a credible factual basis," the report said, adding that "The United States has not produced evidence that India imports goods made with forced labour."

GTRI noted that India had already amended its Foreign Trade Policy in June 2026 to prohibit imports produced using forced or compulsory labour, a move that helped reduce the proposed tariff on Indian ex...