Thu Dec 19 12:38:06 UTC 2024: ## US Ambassador Urges India to Lower Tariffs for Increased Trade
**New Delhi, [Date]** – US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has called on India to lower its tariffs, stating that despite a tenfold increase in bilateral trade since 2001, India remains the highest-tariff major economy globally. His comments, made at a US-India Business Council event, echo recent statements by US President-elect Donald Trump who has criticized India’s tariff policies and threatened reciprocal tariffs.
Ambassador Garcetti acknowledged the strong growth in US-India trade, with the US now India’s top trading partner, but emphasized the need for further progress. He advocated for open dialogue and a collaborative effort to reduce trade barriers, arguing that lower tariffs would lead to fairer and more equitable trade between the two nations. He highlighted the need for workforce training to meet the demands of expanding businesses on both sides.
While acknowledging President-elect Trump’s concerns regarding tariffs on American goods, including paper products and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Ambassador Garcetti emphasized the importance of frank discussions to facilitate deeper negotiations. He noted that despite the existing challenges, bilateral trade has increased significantly, reaching $77.51 billion in exports from India to the US and $42.2 billion in imports in the last fiscal year. Further growth is expected, with substantial increases in both merchandise and services trade observed in recent years.
The Ambassador urged both countries to capitalize on their existing strong trade relationship and build upon this success through meaningful dialogue and tariff reduction to unlock even greater economic potential. The US remains a major investor in India, with significant investments across various sectors.
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