India to remove 2019 additional tariffs on eight US products including chickpeas, lentils and apples
Published Date – Mon 26 Jun 23 06:40 AM
New Delhi: India will remove additional tariffs on eight U.S. products including chickpeas, lentils and apples imposed in 2019 in response to U.S. tariff hikes on certain steel and aluminum products, government sources said.
During Prime Minister Modi’s recent state visit to the US, the two countries decided to end six WTO disputes and remove retaliatory tariffs on certain US products.
In 2018, the United States imposed a 25% import tariff on steel products and a 10% import tariff on certain aluminum products on the grounds of national security. In retaliation, India imposed tariffs on 28 US products in June 2019.
Duties on the eight US-origin products will revert to the currently applicable MFN rates after India notified the removal of the additional duties, a source briefed on the developments said.
Tariffs will end in 90 days.
As part of the agreement, India will cancel the restrictions on chickpeas (10%), lentils (20%), fresh or dried almonds (Rs 7 per kg), shelled almonds (Rs 20 per kg), walnuts (Rs 20 per kg) ) of additional duties. Fresh apples (20%), boric acid (20%) and diagnostic reagents (20%), the source added.
In 2019, the U.S. imposed tariffs on 28 products in retaliation for the U.S. decision to impose tariffs on certain steel and aluminum products.
U.S. lawmakers and industry leaders welcomed the announcement of a deal with India to end those tariffs.
The US is India’s largest trading partner. Bilateral trade in goods increased to $128.8 billion in 2022-23, compared to $119.5 billion in 2021-22.
“India announced the removal of retaliatory tariffs, which almost closed the Indian market for more than 1,400 apple growers in Washington, and now our growers will once again have access to this $120 million market,” Democratic Congressman Cantwell said. in a statement.
India is Washington’s second apple export market.
