U.S. Industry Wants India Designated Priority Foreign Country

WASHINGTON: Ramping up their anti-India campaign, an influential section of American businesses, in particular those from the pharma and manufacturing sectors, urged the Obama Administration to designate India as a Priority Foreign Country.

A Priority Foreign Country is a status reserved for those nations that are the most egregious violators of IP rights and have the most negative impact on U.S. competitiveness abroad.

These corporates have alleged that India's trade practices are discriminatory and have failed to adequately protect and enforce intellectual property (IP).

Experts say it would lead to a trade war between both the countries if India is designated as a priority foreign country under pressure from the U.S. industry.

Representatives of more than half a dozen influential trade organizations appeared before an inter-agency governmental panel lead by the U.S. Trade Representatives.

Another 60 businesses and advocacy organizations wrote two separate letters to the USTR alleging that India has discriminatory industrial policies including its blatant disregard for intellectual property.

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