New Delhi, June 5 -- The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed a 12.5% tariff on 54 countries, including India, for allegedly lacking mechanisms to stop the import of goods made with forced labour. Though it has invited public comments, that sounds like a formality.

This is a familiar 'art' of the Trump administration, which may have needed a new spin or pretext for duties after the US judiciary rejected last year's "reciprocal" tariffs. The proposed set seeks refuge in another US law, but could potentially be deployed as leverage in trade talks for a deal loaded in its favour.

However, since the charge stands on weak ground, particularly since it somehow spies an unfair trade practice in the imports of countries like I...