U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that the United States and India have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization.
India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs that it imposed in response to the U.S. Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. The Indian tariffs included American products like chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, and apples. These tariff cuts will restore and expand market opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers and manufacturers.
“This agreement represents the culmination of intensified bilateral engagement over the last two years to deepen our economic and trade ties,” Tai says. “The result is U.S. producers and manufacturers will now enjoy renewed access to a critical global market, and we will strengthen our trade relationship with one of our closest partners.”
As India’s Prime Minister makes an official state visit to the U.S., Tai says the agreement opens a new chapter of bilateral cooperation.
Farmers for Free Trade issued a statement responding to the resolution of a number of trade disputes between India and the U.S. FFT Executive Director Brian Kuehl says India has always represented an enormous market for America’s ag exports.
“While there has long been frustration over unnecessary barriers to entry into the Indian market, this announcement is a positive step forward in removing tariffs and opening trade,” he says. “The fact that India placed tariffs on U.S. products in the first place is a reminder of the damage trade wars caused here at home.”
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the removal of the tariffs is a major win for America’s farmers. “Producers will now be able to increase sales of apples, chickpeas, lentils, almonds, and walnuts to one of America’s top trading partners,” Vilsack says. “USDA applauds the Office of the USTR for their diligence in reaching this welcome agreement.”