Top US Senator slams Donald Trump for "damaging" trade ties with ally India after hike in customs duties on 28 US products

A top US Senator has slammed Donald Trump for "damaging" tre ties with India, saying his actions are hurting California almond growers who export more than USD 650 million worth of nuts to country every year.

California Senator Dianne Feinstein's criticism of US President came days after India anunced a hike in customs duties on as many as 28 US products, including almond, pulses and walnut, in response to higher tariffs imposed by Washington on Indian products like steel and aluminium.

"India just placed a 75 per cent tariff on almonds in response to President Trump's tre war. His actions are hurting Californians," Senator Feinstein said.

"California almond exports to India are worth more than USD 650 million a year. president must stop damaging tre relations with our allies," she said.

Almond growers in US are a worried lot as authorities last month predicted a record California almond crop for upcoming production year. According to Almond alliance of California, its almond export is being bly hit by retaliatory tariffs from both China and India. California almond orchards are expected to produce 2.50 billion pounds of nuts this year, up 8.69 per cent from last year's 2.30 billion-pound crop, it said.

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Indian move is also seen in retaliation to Donald Trump's decision terminating India's designation as a beneficiary developing nation under key GSP tre programme after determining that it has t assured US that it will provide "equitable and reasonable access to its markets".

suspension became effective June 5. India's retaliatory tariffs came into effect on Sunday.

Apple and almond are some of or American agricultural products to be impacted by India's retaliatory tariffs. move will hurt American exporters of se 28 items as y will have to pay higher duties, making those items much more expensive in Indian market.

Earlier, list included 29 goods but India has removed artemia, a kind of shrimp, from list.

country would get about USD 217 million ditional revenue from such imports.

America h in March last year imposed 25 per cent tariff on steel and a 10 per cent import duty on aluminium products. Earlier, re was duty on se goods.

India's exports to US in 2017-18 stood at USD 47.9 billion, while imports were at USD 26.7 billion. tre balance is in favour of India.