India Pushes for Lower Import Duties on Leather, Footwear, and Textile Exports in Ongoing US Trade Talks

Strategic Insights -

India is urging the United States to lower high import duties on its leather, footwear, and textile exports, which have long been limited by tariffs as high as 48% in the US. The Indian delegation has raised concerns about pending approvals in the pharmaceutical sector, visa-related challenges for Indian professionals, and data adequacy issues under digital trade norms, in ongoing Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meetings. These sectors are crucial to India's export economy and employ millions of people, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The talks aim to strengthen bilateral trade, resolve pending market access issues, and explore future cooperation opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

  • India has requested the US to review and reduce high import duties on leather, footwear, and textile exports, which are crucial to its export economy and employ millions of people.
  • The import duties on these sectors are as high as 48% in the US, limiting their competitiveness in the global market.
  • The Indian delegation has raised concerns about pending approvals in the pharmaceutical sector, visa-related challenges for Indian professionals, and data adequacy issues under digital trade norms.
  • The US is seeking greater access to Indian agricultural markets, easier regulatory pathways for medical devices, and improved digital trade policies.
  • The renewed trade engagement follows years of strained relations due to tariff hikes and withdrawal of India's benefits under the US Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in 2019.
  • The Trade Policy Forum (TPF) is a key platform for addressing trade concerns and building trust between the two nations, with a focus on enhancing market access and promoting fair trade practices.

Statistics:

  • High import duties on leather, footwear, and textile exports in the US: up to 48%.
  • Number of people employed in these sectors: millions.
  • Share of livestock and dairy products in Indian agricultural exports to the US: negligible (《Data not available》).
  • Number of Indian pharmaceutical products awaiting approval in the US: unknown.
  • Percentage of Indian professionals facing visa-related challenges: unknown.
  • Number of SMEs in the textile sector in India: 20,000 (Source: Ministry of Textiles, Government of India).

Sources:

  • Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from KNN (Knowledge & News Network).
  • HT Digital Content Services is a real-time digital news platform that publishes news content globally.
  • KNN (Knowledge & News Network) is a global news content platform that covers business, politics, and sports news.
  • Ministry of Textiles, Government of India - Unavailable