United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai yesterday announced that the United States and India have finalized an agreement resolving several outstanding trade issues, including the termination of six WTO disputes and the removal of retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. agricultural products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents.
The agreement, which was reached during the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India, reflects the growing strength of the U.S.- India bilateral economic and trade relationship.
After the announcement, government leaders and stakeholders across the agricultural industry applauded Ambassador Tai for completing the agreement and providing renewed market access in India for U.S. agricultural products and manufacturers.
Read more about what they are saying:
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack:
“Removal of these tariffs is a major win for America’s farmers, building on the $15 billion in new or preserved market access for agricultural products that USDA and USTR have delivered under the Biden-Harris Administration. Producers will now be able to increase sales of apples, chickpeas, lentils, almonds, and walnuts to one of the United States’ top trading partners. USDA applauds the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for their diligence in reaching this agreement and for their leadership in strengthening our relationship with India. The outcome also underscores the competitiveness of America’s high-quality food and agriculture products, which have been exported at record levels over the past two years. The Biden-Harris Administration continues to prioritize new, more and better markets on behalf of American agriculture and is proud of the economic opportunity this creates for workers and for families.”
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01):
“Today’s agreement is a major win for Washington’s apple growers who rely on selling their fruit overseas to make ends meet. For five years, India’s retaliatory tariffs have severely restricted U.S. apples from being sold in the Indian market, hurting our growers and the over 68,000 jobs in Washington they support…I welcome [Ambassador Tai’s] success and the Biden administration’s leadership in resolving this issue.”
Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08):
“The removal of this tariff is a lifesaver for tree fruit growers in Washington state. They saw a $120 million market dwindle to $3 million because of retaliatory tariffs imposed by India…I am grateful to Ambassador Katherine Tai for making this possible.”
Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02):
“This agreement is good news for Washington tree fruit growers…I applaud Representative Schrier and Senator Cantwell for leading the charge to help farmers and growers in the Pacific Northwest create more jobs and grow the regional agricultural economy.”
“Today is a very good day for Washington's world-famous apples and a huge boost to Washington state's agriculture economy. India has announced it is lifting retaliatory tariffs that all but shut down the Indian market for Washington's more than 1,400 apple growers and now our growers will once again have access to this $120 million market.”
“This great news for Montana farmers. Montana’s pulse crop producers feed the world. In fact, our farmers are the top producers of pulse crops in the country and India is the top consumer of pulse crops in the world…I am so glad to have played a role in helping further solidify such a strong market for Montana pulse crops and believe it will benefit our Montana farmers for years to come.”
President of the Northwest Horticultural Council (NHC), Mark Powers:
“This is a win for apples. We are eager to get back to business in India, for our growers to quickly engage in rebuilding this important market, and to once again sell our high-quality, healthful apples to the consumers in India.”
“India has always represented an enormous market for American ag exports. While there has long been frustration over unnecessary barriers to entry into the Indian market, today’s announcement is a positive step forward in removing tariffs and opening trade. We are particularly pleased to see that recent retaliatory tariffs on apples, chickpeas, lentils, almonds and walnuts are being removed.”
“Fantastic development for U.S. ag and pulses, while dry beans were not involved, we applaud the removal of tariffs on U.S. agricultural imports into India. Thanks to the work of @USTradeRep, India agrees to drop retaliatory tariffs on some US ag exports.”
Chair of the NHC’s Foreign Trade Committee, Steve Reinholt:
“The apple industry applauds the repeal of the retaliatory tariff, which has been holding us back since it was put in place. We are hopeful this will open the door to regain the market share we’ve lost.”
Original source can be found here.