New Delhi, December 10 United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has stated that the proposals received from India regarding the proposed trade agreement are the best ever. This statement comes at a time when two-day negotiations between the two nations have commenced here.
Speaking at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington on Tuesday, Greer acknowledged that there is resistance in India regarding certain row crops and other meat products. In the United States, the category of row crops includes corn, soybean, wheat, and cotton. As per agency report, Greer noted that while this has been a difficult issue, the attitude shown has been quite positive. He observed that the proposals being offered are better than those received from any country so far, leading him to believe that India could be a practical alternative market for the US.
These observations are considered significant as both sides are attempting to finalize the first phase of the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement. An American delegation is currently in India for these trade negotiations. The two-day talks which began here aim to finalize a mutually beneficial trade agreement. On the first day of negotiations, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met with Deputy United States Trade Representative Rick Switzer.
The Commerce Department stated in a social media post that both sides deliberated on matters related to India-US trade and economic relations, which included discussions on a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement. These talks are scheduled to conclude on December 11. The dialogue holds importance given that the Donald Trump administration had imposed a heavy tariff of 50 percent on Indian products entering American markets since August.
Following the imposition of tariffs, negotiations regarding the bilateral trade agreement had derailed. Although the dialogue resumed following initiatives by top leadership, the initial phase of the agreement has not yet been finalized. Indian industry and exporters are eagerly awaiting the outcome of these talks and the announcement of any agreement, as high import duties are adversely affecting their exports to the United States.
