A U.S. delegation including Assistant Trade Representative Mark Linscott is in Delhi and will, over Tuesday and Wednesday, hold meetings with Commerce Ministry officials at the Joint Secretary level to discuss ways forward to resolve the escalating trade issues between the U.S. and India.
The meetings come against the background of India’s recent notification of higher import tariffs for 29 goods originating in the U.S.
However, the implementation date for these higher tariffs was set as August 4, leaving room for other solutions that could arise through dialogue.
“The U.S. Assistant Trade Representative Mark Linscott will be meeting officials from the Commerce Ministry today and tomorrow,” an official from the Commerce Ministry told The Hindu, adding that while the names of the officials Mr. Linscott would be meeting have not been officially released, they would be at the Joint Secretary level.
Key issues on agenda
The two key issues on the agenda are India’s notified tariffs on U.S. imports, and duties on medical devices.
While India had earlier this month written to the World Trade Organisation informing it of its decision to impose tariffs on U.S. imports amounting to $240 million, the actual notification set the implementation date as August 4. In addition, the notification left out the proposed increased tariffs on high-capacity motorcycles, such as those manufactured by Harley Davidson, tariffs on which were a sore point highlighted by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Following his visit to the U.S. earlier this month, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu had indicated that more talks would follow with U.S. authorities regarding trade related issues. The Minister is currently, however, in Australia to attend the 15th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission.