‘Farmers for Free Trade’ statement on U.S.-India trade dispute resolution

Today, Brian Kuehl, Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade, the nation’s leading ag trade advocacy coalition made up major food and ag groups, released a statement on news that the U.S. and India have agreed to resolve a number of trade disputes including the removal of retaliatory tariffs on American ag exports.

“India has always represented an enormous market for American ag exports. While there has long been frustration over unnecessary barriers to entry into the Indian market, today’s announcement is a positive step forward in removing tariffs and opening trade. We are particularly pleased to see that recent retaliatory tariffs on apples, chickpeas, lentils, almonds and walnuts are being removed. The fact that they were ever in place is a reminder of the damage that trade wars cause here at home.

We hope this truly represents a “new beginning” as Prime Minister Modi touted. However, understanding the difficulties American ag has historically faced in India, we will also need to continue to roll up our sleeves to reach agreements that further open the Indian market to American ag exports."