India and US trade officials hold talks in New Delhi, America's envoy and visiting US representative call on Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

Tre officials of India and US on Friday carried out talks in New Delhi for first time after US withdrew duty-free benefits to Indian exporters and India imposed retaliatory tariffs on imports from US. 

Assistant United States Tre Representative (AUSTR) Christopher Wilson, who visited India on 11-12 July 2019 said in a statement that his main purpose was to “explore potential for enhanced bilateral tre and ecomic engment with India under new government.” 

Sanjay Chha, ditional Secretary of Commerce Ministry led discussion for Indian side.

Chda, in a statement post meeting, said, “ meeting was cordial and aimed at providing a new impetus to bilateral tre and commercial ties, in line with mandate given by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump during ir meeting at Osaka, Japan on 28 June 2019."

RE | India And US To Resume Tre Talks Amid Tensions Over Increased Tariffs And US President Trump's Arm-twisting Tactics

Both sides discussed bro contours of bilateral tre and commercial ties and agreed to continue ir discussions for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes aimed at furr growing ecomic relationship and dressing mutual tre concerns. AUSTR also called on Commerce Secretary and Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during visit.

meeting comes days after Trump h again warned India regarding high tariff regime t being acceptable to US. 

“India has long h a field day putting Tariffs on American products. longer acceptable!" Trump h tweeted on Tuesday.

After meeting on Friday, at Second Leership Summit of US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) in Washington, deputy USTR Jeffrey D Gerrish said that president Trump and USTR Robert Lighthizer are frustrated with lack of balance and reciprocity in India-US tre relationship.

“I think, we are at a pivotal juncture here in our relationship and at a critical intersection between a frustrating last few years that we have h and a possible future relationship that at this point is t really defined and is still being tested." 

India has imposed retaliatory tariffs on 28 US products, including almonds and apples, starting 5 June, a year after anuncing m to counter increase in steel and aluminum tariffs by US and withdrawal of duty-free benefits to Indian exporters. Following move, US raised dispute at World Tre Organization (WTO). India also raised customs duties on a host of products, including alloy steel and auto parts, in budget presented on 5 July.