U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told the Senate Finance Committee that the average U.S. tariff on agricultural products is 5%, but India’s average tariff is 39%.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said several countries, including India, are preparing to reduce tariffs. He also mentioned that nearly 50 countries contacted him to discuss President Donald Trump’s new plan, which has begun to show results.
Greer told the Senate Finance Committee that the average agricultural product tariffs in India are 39%, while the average is 5%.
“Our average tariff rate on agricultural commodities is 5%, but India’s average tariff rate is 39%. You understand the trend here. Our trade deficit under these non-modern conditions is a manifestation of the loss of national manufacturing, growth and capacity building.
He named Israel and India as two countries that are considering lowering tariffs, claiming that Trump’s “reciprocity” target of dealing with friends has led to the readiness of these countries to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers.
“Nearly 50 countries have contacted me personally to discuss the president’s new policy and to explore how reciprocity can be achieved. They have also spoken with many members of the government. Some of them, such as Argentina, Vietnam, India and Israel, have suggested that they reduce tariffs and non-advocacy barriers that are consistent with the president’s policy.”
Furthermore, he accused “unilateral tariffs, trade barriers for foreign partners” as the U.S. trade deficit significantly increased and the country’s manufacturing downturn.
According to him, due to major changes in Trump’s trade regulations, about 50 countries have begun negotiations, including raising tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles and non-U.S. parts, and imposing basic basic benchmark tariffs on imports.
“Some of these countries recommend that they will reduce tariffs according to the president’s policy,” U.S. government officials said.
