Congressmen in the US applaud an agreement with India that would end retaliatory tariffs on American apples
The news of a deal with India to halt the retaliatory tariffs imposed on American apples and pulse crops has been warmly received by politicians and business leaders in the US. New Delhi will now provide American agricultural producers and manufacturers access to India’s sizable market.
On the basis of national security in 2018, the US levied import taxes of 25% and 10% on certain steel and aluminum goods, respectively. In reaction, India in June 2019 levied customs fees on 28 American goods, including apples, boric acid, lentils, almonds, and diagnostic tools.
Senator Maria Cantwell stated, “Today is a very good day for Washington’s world-famous apples and a big boost to Washington state’s farm sector.
The Democratic Party representative from Washington, Maria Cantwell, said in a statement: “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. Now our growers will once again have access to this USD 120 million market.”
Cantwell made her remarks while US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were having extensive discussions.
India ranked as Washington’s second-largest apple export market in 2017, contributing approximately USD 120 million. According to Cantwell’s office, Washington only sent roughly $1 million worth of Apple items to India this season.
Within 90 days, the tariffs will be lifted, just in time for the 2023 apple harvest.
Katherine Tai, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), stated on Thursday that the US and India have decided to settle six unresolved trade issues at the WTO.
The US Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminum prompted India to impose retaliatory tariffs on a number of US products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. However, India has now agreed to remove these tariffs.
“These tariff reductions will increase and restore market possibilities for American businesses and agricultural producers. President Biden invited Prime Minister Modi to the US for an official state visit at the same time as this declaration, according to the statement.
According to local media, Washington’s apple sector will once again be on an equal footing with rivals in India as a result of the deal, according to Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission.
This will help us strive to reclaim our lost market position, the Washington apple industry has worked hard to expand the Indian market for our world-class apples, he said in a statement.
Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture Derek Sandison called restoring access to the Indian market “a big win” in a statement.
The removal of India’s retaliatory tariffs is excellent news for Washington agriculture, particularly for apple growers, according to Sandison.
The Washington Apple Commission, the Northwest Horticultural Council, and nearby farmers hailed the accord.
Farmers in India are ready to resume their businesses, according to Mark Powers, president of the Northwest Horticultural Council.
In a statement, NHC president Mark Powers remarked, “This is a win for apples.””
India’s top trade partner is the United States. The bilateral trade in products climbed to USD 128.8 billion in 2022–2023 from USD 119.5 billion the previous year.
The deal reached on Thursday, according to Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, is a “major win” for Washington’s apple producers since the tariffs “severely restricted” the export of apples to India.
