Market access to India improved

Washington: India has opened up its market to the American farming industry in as many as 12 different categories which will provide a growing opportunity for US exporters, the top trade official has told lawmakers as she defended the Biden administration’s policies after some influential senators raised the issue of unfair practices by foreign countries. US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai, responding to a series of questions from the senators during a congressional hearing on trade convened by the US Finance Committee, said that the Biden administration has secured $21 billion in market access over the last three years. “That includes the 12 tariff categories with India, a growing market, growing opportunity for US exporters,” she said on Wednesday. “We are opening markets for hard-working American families and communities, especially our rural communities,” she said. “For example, after the US and India terminated seven WTO (World Trade Organisation) disputes, India agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs on several US products. This means improved access for chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts and apples, benefiting farmers across our country, including in Michigan, Oregon, California and Washington,” Tai said. This means more market access for turkey, duck, blueberries and cranberries benefiting the farmers in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Massachusetts and Minnesota, she added. “Trade should work for all Americans. Our goal is to stop pitting Americans against each other in our trade policy and this is why we are taking unprecedented steps to incorporate more voices into trade policymaking,” Tai said. Tai said enforcing trade rules continues to be a priority this year for the administration. “We will continue to level the playing field for American workers and businesses. We are vigorously enforcing our trade agreements, defending American jobs, and making sure more people enjoy the benefits of trade,” she said. Responding to a question from Senator Bill Cassidy on a whistleblower’s allegations of forced labour in the Indian shrimp industry, Tai said she has raised this issue with her Indian counterpart. “It’s not an easy conversation. We will continue to champion this particular issue,” she said. India has dismissed allegations of poor working conditions and safety standards in the shrimp industry, with a commerce ministry official saying India’s 548 seafood units are regularly inspected and monitored by various government agencies. Indian shrimp exporters follow a robust regulatory and safety regime, as it helps them to ship quality marine products to developed regions like the US and Europe, the official said in New Delhi earlier this month.