NEW DELHI – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today met with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. Ambassador Tai began by thanking Minister Goyal for India’s extraordinary hospitality as host of the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur, India earlier this week.
The ministers noted the intensified cooperation and partnership between the United States and India over the last several years, which culminated in President Biden hosting Prime Minister Modi for a State Visit in Washington, D.C. in June 2023. During that visit, the United States and India announced resolutions on key trade issues, including the termination of six disputes at the World Trade Organization and India’s removal of tariffs on certain U.S. products (chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents).
Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal discussed the seventh outstanding WTO dispute: Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Agricultural Products (DS430). They tasked their respective teams with continuing discussions on this dispute in order to reach a solution soon.
Ambassador Tai also raised concerns related to India’s import licensing requirements for technological equipment. She noted that there were stakeholders that needed an opportunity to review and provide input to ensure that the policy, if implemented, does not have an adverse impact on U.S. exports to India. Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal agreed to explore this issue further and find a solution that addresses both countries' concerns.
Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal also agreed on the importance of their partnership at the WTO, where the two countries can harness the power of globalization to make a difference in the lives of their people and people around the world.
The ministers expressed their shared commitment to deepening this bilateral relationship, including during President Biden’s visit to India next month for the G20 Heads of State and Government Summit. They also looked forward to reconvening the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum later this year.
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