U.S. trade agency lists India, 7 other countries on priority watch list over intellectual property

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India stays on the U.S. Trade Representative Priority Watch List for 2025, according to a report released by the agency on Tuesday (April 29, 2025).

The Special 301 Report labels India “one of the world’s most challenging major economies” for intellectual property issues. Patent problems include long waiting periods and unclear interpretations of India’s Patents Act. Engagement between the two nations has increased despite these concerns.

According to the report, IP enforcement remains weak across India. The country struggles with high customs duties on IP-intensive products and inadequate protection for pharmaceutical data. Trademark counterfeiting persists alongside excessive delays in opposition proceedings. Copyright holders face rampant online piracy. Law enforcement lacks coordination and proper IP investigation techniques, it said.

Mexico added to list

The USTR’s office also placed Mexico on its priority watch list on intellectual property rights, citing longstanding concerns over enforcement against trademark counterfeiting and protection of pharmaceutical-related IP.

USTR’s annual report now lists eight countries on its priority watch list for deficiencies and violations of IP rights, and 18 countries on its watch list. The lists are drawn up each year after research and analysis of more than 100 trading partners.

The concerns could factor into the Trump administration’s negotiations with many countries over tariffs and non-tariff barriers, giving the report greater significance this year.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday said the administration was in discussions with 15 to 18 key trading partners over the hefty U.S. tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on April 2 but suspended until July 8.

Priority list

The priority list now includes Mexico, China, Chile, Argentina, India, Indonesia, Russia and Venezuela.

“Our trading partners must address the concerns identified in the Special 301 Report and stop those stealing the intellectual property of hard-working businesses and individuals,” said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

“This comprehensive report is a basis for the United States to take trade enforcement action against those not playing fairly.”

Turkmenistan removed

Mexico, which had been on the watch list for several years, was moved to the higher priority group, USTR said, citing what it called “longstanding and significant concerns that have not been resolved, many of which relate to Mexico’s implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).”

USTR removed one country, Turkmenistan, from the main watch list, noting that stakeholders had not raised significant concerns about IP protection or enforcement there in recent years.

Vietnam and Brazil remained on the list, which also includes Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey.

(With inputs from Reuters)