New Delhi/ Washington: During the behind the scenes trade negotiations ahead of PM Modi’s US visit, the US side has not considered India’s demand for removal of US tax on steel and aluminum exports from India, reported Reuters.
During the negations India offered to remove some tariff on US agricultural goods in exchange for an exemption in US tariff on steel and aluminum, which however has been declined.
PM Modi’s visit to the US has been debated across diplomatic circles along the lines of both nations furthering bilateral ties on various fronts including trade.
The news agency Reuters quoted sources as saying that when India raised the issue the US side quickly turned it down.
‘US officials have been very clear with India in meetings that they are not considering an exemption for India on Section 232 tariffs,’ Reuters reported.
It is reported that nevertheless the US negotiators were inflexible, there are expectations of reaching some agreement during PM Modi’s visit.
‘PM (Modi) is visiting and by that time, they (US) want to come up with something good, which looks positive for both sides,’ the report said.
The trade issues began in 2018 when President Trump imposed a 25 per cent tarrif on US steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum.
India quickly answered back imposing tariff on 28 US products including almonds, apples and walnuts.
Meanwhile the US authorities were irked by the World Trade Organization’s rule in last December criticising the US tariff on steel and aluminum as against global trading rules.
During a hearing at US Congress on Wednesday US steel industry leaders favoured continuing the tariff on steel and aluminum.