A top American Senator Robert Menendez has urged US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer to reinstate India into the Generalized System of Preference (GSP), which President Donald Trump has terminated. The US terminated preferential tariffs to Indian exports after determining that it has not committed to provide ‘equitable and reasonable access to its markets’ for the US. The termination is effective from June 5.
Menendez said “I hope we can work to solve our issues with India so they can be reinstated into the GSP.” But at the same time, he appeared to be supportive of the concerns of the Trump administration with regard to India. He also said “You have to know that if I'm a trading partner I want to have some predictive ability and when I make a deal with you and then you start tariffs on me for something that has absolutely nothing to do with trade then that is unpredictable.”
Lighthizer said “We at USTR are very much focused on changing these rules where they are unfair to American farmers, ranchers, workers, and businesses. This has included renegotiating KORUS, which you are aware, and NAFTA, which you have just discussed and will discuss further.” He added “We also have been reviewing GSP eligibility; actively engaging in TIFA talks with many, many countries; and reviewing the rules and functions of the WTO. USTR has also been active in enforcing the existing obligations of our trading partners.” He said “We've brought many WTO cases. We've filed counter notifications at the WTO and worked with other WTO members on a proposal to improve compliance with the existing WTO notification obligations.”
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