USTR expresses satisfaction over increased market access
Subsidies in sub-continent a hurdle to American ryots to run in Asia markets
WASHINGTON: India has opened up its market to the American farming industry in as many as 12 different categories which will provide a growing opportunity for US exporters, the top trade official has told lawmakers as she defended the Biden administration’s policies after some influential senators raised the issue of unfair practices by foreign countries.
US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai, responding to a series of questions from the senators during a congressional hearing on trade convened by the US Finance Committee, said that the Biden administration has secured $21 billion in market access over the last three years.
“That includes the 12 tariff categories with India, a growing market, growing opportunity for US exporters,” she said on Wednesday.
Responding to a question from Senator Bill Cassidy on a whistleblower’s allegations of forced labour in the Indian shrimp industry, Tai said she has raised this issue with her Indian counterpart. “It’s not an easy conversation. We will continue to champion this particular issue,” she said.
Cassidy also raised the issue of rice subsidy by India.
“There’s also a concern from our rice people who say if it were not for Indian subsidies of rice, they would have roughly $850 million more in export,” he said.
Senator Ron Wyden, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, alleged that India’s wheat subsidies are distorting prices and directly hurting American farmers.
“Without enforcement, our trade laws aren’t worth the paper they are written on,” he said.
“India’s wheat subsidies are distorting prices and making it harder for Oregon’s farmers to compete in the Asian market. Mexico’s illegal fishing practices are hurting the environment and its harmful energy regulations are undermining American clean energy suppliers,” he said.
“China has a rap sheet of unfair subsidies and trade practices so long, we’d be here until dinnertime just to get through it...Every single one of these unfair practices by foreign countries is directly hurting workers and companies in the United States,” said Senator Ron Wyden.
“There’s a lot more USTR can be doing with the tools it has - whether that’s raising issues directly with trading partners, starting dispute settlement, or opening 301 investigations into unfair trade practices. That’s the only way to hold trade cheats accountable and level the playing field for American workers and businesses,” Wyden said.