No commitment to US on tariffs: Govt to Parlimantary panel

NEW DELHI: Two days after Donald Trump’s claim that India had committed to bring tariffs “way down”, govt on Monday told a

parliamentary panel

that no commitments on the issue had been made to the US and it has sought time until Sept to address the issue that is being repeatedly flagged by the American president.
Appearing before the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal is learnt to have said that India and the US were working towards a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement, focusing on long-term

trade cooperation

instead of merely seeking immediate tariff adjustments.
He also sought to allay concerns over tariff actions against India, arguing that New Delhi was engaged with Washington on a trade deal, in sharp contrast to China, Canada and Mexico — where Trump has announced tariff actions, some of which have already kicked in.
Some opposition MPs like AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress’s Deepender Hooda and TMC’s Sagarika Ghosh are learnt to have questioned the commerce secretary on reciprocal tariffs, which Trump has threatened to impose from April 2 against countries with high tariffs. According to sources, Barthwal responded by suggesting that India may escape reciprocal tariffs for the moment.

US talks could also prove beneficial for us: Commerce secretary
Some opposition MPs like AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress’s Deepender Hooda and TMC’s Sagarika Ghosh are learnt to have questioned the commerce secretary on reciprocal tariffs, which Trump has threatened to impose from April 2 against countries with high tariffs.
The parliamentary panel, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, had asked commerce secretary and foreign secretary Vikram Misri to appear before it and explain recent developments, including media reports quoting Trump that India had agreed to lower its tariffs.
Earlier in the day, Misri presented govt’s view to panel members about reports of constructions on China border and assured lawmakers that the two countries were in constant touch and there was nothing to be concerned about.
Trade issues and Trump’s repeated threats of tariff actions are learnt to have dominated the meeting Monday, where Barthwal made it clear that the country’s interests would be safeguarded during talks for trade deal. He said govt could only react after Trump administration had taken some steps, which was not the case so far.
The commerce secretary is learnt to have pointed out that the talks could also prove to be beneficial for India. There is a section in govt which believes higher tariffs on countries such as China will open the doors for India in certain sectors in addition to the proposed bilateral agreement helping export of Indian textiles and leather products.
Last week, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had suggested that Trump’s stance on tariffs and foreign policy could throw up openings for India. Commerce department officials have maintained that India and US can complement each other, given the list of products that each produces.
Sources said committee members asked Misri many pointed questions on China and the dam on Brahmaputra river. He informed the panel that there was no agreement between India and China, but there was a water agreement between India and Pakistan. “So, any issue with China can be discussed bilaterally only,” a source quoted Misri as saying. He said China wanted to restore full-fledged relations with India, with direct flights, visa for visitors and deployment of journalists. He said talks were continuing, but expressed concern about allowing visitors and scribes.