.jpeg)
GTRI Calls for Caution as US Pushes for Agricultural Access in Ongoing Negotiations
Trade Talks: GTRI has warned that India should maintain balance in its ongoing trade talks with the US and exercise extreme caution before granting any exemptions on agricultural and GMO products. US Representative Jamieson Greer stated in the Senate that India remains a difficult partner regarding US demands on agricultural and meat products, although India has made progress in recent negotiations.
GTRI cautioned that it was time for India to seek balance in the ongoing trade talks with the US. Caution is advised in granting exemptions on agricultural and GMO products.
GTRI's remarks have come at a time when US Trade Representative (USR) Jamieson Greer briefed the Senate that India continues to be a challenging partner when it comes to specific agricultural and meat exports. The US trade team is in New Delhi and is engaged to get better market access for US goods in agriculture.
Greer also stated that despite challenges, India is making significant progress in recent negotiations, and the current offer is the best he has received from India so far. He presented India as a potential major market for US exporters and emphasized the need to increase sales of soybean-based biofuels.
According to GTRI, row crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, barley, and canola are politically sensitive in India, as they are directly linked to farmers' livelihoods and food security. Therefore, any market opening could have serious domestic implications.
Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
The think tank stated that if the US is truly serious about the partnership, it should first reduce the punitive tariffs of 50% imposed on Indian exports to 25%. The report also said that the narrative of the current negotiations so far largely reflects US expectations, while there is no clarity on the potential benefits to India.
