UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Post court ruling on tariffs, Trump says no changes to India-U.S. deal

Q1. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the 'reciprocal tariffs' in February 2026, under which legal authority did the Trump administration impose the replacement global tariff?

  • A. Section 122 of the Trade Act, 1974
  • B. International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
  • C. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, 1962
  • D. Section 301 of the Trade Act, 1974

Q2. In the context of the 2026 U.S. tariff developments, what does Section 122 of the U.S. Trade Act, 1974 authorise?

  • A. A temporary import surcharge of up to 15% for a maximum of 150 days to address large and serious balance-of-payments deficits
  • B. A permanent tariff imposed on imports that threaten national security
  • C. Retaliatory tariffs against countries engaging in unfair or discriminatory trade practices
  • D. Tariffs imposed during a declared national emergency arising from an unusual foreign threat

Q3. Which U.S. government office is the lead agency conducting the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations with India following the 2026 trade deal?

  • A. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
  • B. U.S. Department of the Treasury
  • C. U.S. Department of Commerce
  • D. U.S. Department of State