US Appreciates India’s Decision To Reduce Tariffs On Agricultural Products Exports

Last week, India announced that it will reduce tariffs on certain agricultural products from the US such as frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh and frozen blueberries, and cranberries, among others. 

The development comes after India announced earlier this year that it will lift retaliatory tariffs on US products, namely apples, chickpeas, lentils, almonds, and walnuts, implemented last week.

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The US embraced India’s decision to reduce tariffs on various American agricultural products. Last week itself, India announced that it will reduce tariffs on certain agricultural products from the US such as frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh and frozen blueberries, and cranberries, among others. 

The decision was appreciated by the US government and officials who stated that this move would help boost economic opportunities for US agricultural producers and expose Indian customers to more products from the United States. 

Appreciating the move, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that the decision would generate new market opportunities for US producers and exporters. He added, “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 working through the World Trade Organization and other venues to ensure that those partners live up to their obligations so that US agriculture has full and fair access to key export markets,” as reported by PTI. 

The development comes after India lifted retaliatory tariffs on US products, namely apples, chickpeas, lentils, almonds, and walnuts. These restrictions were lifted this week and announced earlier in the summer. Commenting on the tariff barriers, Vilsack said, “While important progress has been made, significant tariff and non-tariff barriers to American agricultural products accessing the Indian market remain.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar also issued a statement welcoming India’s decision to reduce tariffs on US turkey exports to India. The move would lower tariffs on frozen turkey products exports to India from 30 per cent to 5 per cent.

“For too long, high tariffs have prevented American turkey farmers from exporting their products to India. That’s why I pushed for a resolution to create an even playing field and reduce trade barriers for American turkey farmers and producers, and I’m glad to see this agreement has been reached,” Klobuchar added.

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine issued a separate statement stating that this decision will enhance India-US relations and help generate more demand for Virginia poultry, in turn supporting the economic activity. 

Notably, Virginia stood as the sixth-largest turkey source in the US in 2021, with a production of 14.5 million birds. Joel Brandenberger, the president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation added, “The National Turkey Federation applauds the efforts by the US and Indian governments to significantly reduce the tariffs. This move creates an important new market for US turkey producers and will give Indians more affordable access to a nutritious, delicious protein.”