During a press briefing at the White House, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about finalizing a trade deal with India, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a close friend. Trump highlighted a shift in trade dynamics, claiming that the US is now benefiting financially from its relationship with India, which he stated had previously taken advantage of the US through high tariffs. This positive outlook coincides with the announcement of new tariffs by the US on imports from various countries, including India, due to issues related to forced labor practices. The US Trade Representative (USTR) has identified 54 countries, including major economies like Australia, China, and the UK, for not sufficiently enforcing bans on goods produced with forced labor. The USTR's new tariff structure includes a 10% tariff for compliant countries and a 12.5% duty for those that do not meet the requirements. Additionally, a mechanism for textiles will allow certain imports to enter the US at lower rates under specified conditions. These actions are framed within the context of Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which addresses trade practices deemed unreasonable.