India considers lowering import duties on American walnuts, almonds, apples, and cranberries

By

, ET BureauLast Updated: Mar 07, 2025, 12:25:00 AM IST

Synopsis

India may lower or eliminate import duties on American walnuts, almonds, apples, and cranberries to enhance trade relations with the US. Talks are ongoing with negotiators in Washington. India aims for a bilateral trade deal by the end of the year with a target of $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

New Delhi: India could lower or completely eliminate import levies on American walnuts, almonds, apples and cranberries as it seeks to forge deeper trade ties with the US and iron out key contentious issues with the country ahead of Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs which are set to kick off on April 2.

Officials said talks are on to offer duty concessions on American walnuts and almonds and eliminate duties on cranberries. The two sides are eyeing a bilateral trade deal by end of year and have set a target of $500 billion bilateral trade by 2030. New Delhi imposes standard 42-120% duty on almonds and 50% on apples. Walnuts attract 100-120% duty.

"We are in the process of resolving these issues... There is a team of negotiators in Washington doing that," said an official.

The ministry of commerce and industry has held consultations with stakeholders about reducing industrial tariffs in sectors in which India has offensive interests and the ones with insignificant American imports.

India is also mulling giving duty concessions on American cherries and cranberries, which face 30% import tariffs. New Delhi imported $614.5 million worth of almonds from the US in April-November FY25, $22.48 million worth of apples and $6.68 million worth of cranberries.