India-US Relationship: America welcomed India's move to reduce duty on agricultural products, said this

The US has welcomed India's recent move to reduce tariffs on several American agricultural products. Last week, India agreed to reduce tariffs on certain US products, including frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh blueberries and cranberries, frozen blueberries and cranberries, as well as processed blueberries and cranberries.

US officials said the tariff cuts would expand economic opportunities for US agricultural producers in the important market and help bring more products from the United States to customers in India.

Welcoming the announcement, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the move would create new market opportunities for American producers and exporters.

Vilsack said, “Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA (US Department of Agriculture) and USTR (United States Trade Representative) have focused on rebuilding trust and strengthening relationships with our global trading partners, including India, And we are working through the WTO and elsewhere to ensure that those partners meet their obligations so that American agriculture can have full and fair access to key export markets. ,

This latest move follows India's removal of retaliatory tariffs on US apples, chickpeas, lentils, almonds, and walnuts, a development that was announced earlier this summer and took effect this week.

“Although significant progress has been made, significant tariff and non-tariff barriers remain for US agricultural products reaching the Indian market,” Vilsack said. Senator Amy Klobuchar in a statement welcomed the agreement to reduce duties on US turkey exports to India. He said that with this agreement, the duty on the export of frozen turkey products to India will be reduced from 30 percent to five percent.

"For too long, high tariffs have prevented American turkey farmers from exporting their products to India," Klobuchar said. "That's why I'm committed to creating a level playing field for American turkey farmers and producers and Pushed for a resolution to reduce trade barriers, and I am pleased that this agreement has been reached.

In a separate statement, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine said the move will help strengthen the partnership between India and the US while increasing demand for Virginia poultry and supporting economic activity in the valley.

In 2021, Virginia was the sixth largest turkey source in the U.S. after producing 14.5 million birds. Turkey production plays a vital role in Virginia's poultry industry, providing a direct economic impact of $5.8 billion and economic activity in the state. Contributes USD 13.6 billion.

Joel Brandenberger, president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation, said the federation appreciates the efforts of the US and Indian governments to reduce tariffs. This move creates an important new market for American turkey producers and will provide Indians with more affordable access to nutritious, delicious protein."

He said, "NTF congratulates the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the leadership of USDA on this achievement, and we thank Senators Mark R. Warner and Thom Tillis for leading Congressional efforts to ensure that U.S. turkey Producers can compete effectively in this rapidly growing market.

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