India, US to focus on higher market access, lower import duty and trade barriers: Govt to Parliament
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said that as on date, reciprocal tariffs have not been applied by the US on India.
He said that the government continues to engage with the US to achieve enhancement and broadening of bilateral trade ties in a mutually beneficial and fair manner.
“Both countries plan to negotiate a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement. Both countries would focus on increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, enhancing supply chain integration and resolving bilateral trade issues,” Prasada said.
In a separate reply, he said recently, the government has not taken any such steps to lift ban on import of certain prohibited and restricted products from USA, China and UK.
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Farm tariff
Post Union Budget 2025-26, India’s simple average industrial tariff has reduced to 10.66%.
India’s simple average tariff rate is 17%, with simple average agricultural tariff (which includes textiles) being 39% and for industrial goods 13.5% for 2023.
EFTA benefit
The sectors that are likely to see the highest impact from the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) include seafood & maritime, energy, healthcare, financial services, education and audio-visual services, pharmaceutical, mechanical & electrical engineering, renewable energy and food & food processing.
The TEPA was signed on March 10, 2024 and expected to drive investments into India, Parliament was informed.
China trade
As India increasingly integrates with Global Value Chains (GVC), imports matter as much as exports for a successful GVC integration, Prasada told the Lok Sabha.
“India’s
