India and US to resume trade talks amid tensions over increased tariffs and US President Trump's arm-twisting tactics

Amid the tensed trade talks between India and United States, senior officials from both the countries are set to discuss on various trading and economic matters in New Delhi on Friday, in order to strengthen the bilateral relations. A delegation led by the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) for South and Central Asia, Christopher Wilson, is likely to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal along with key trade officials over the tariff matters. 

"Since India's election period has now passed, USTR officials are visiting India for relationship-building with Indian government counterparts, including introductory meetings for the new AUSTR for India, Christopher Wilson," a USTR spokesperson told in the matter, 

This development has come amid the pressure made by US President Donald Trump asking India to cut down on the 'unacceptably high tariffs' imposed on the 28 American goods. Earlier this week, he took to Twitter and said that the high duties were "no longer acceptable".

READ | India-US Trade Row: US President Donald Trump Accuses India Of Imposing Tariffs On American Products; Says 'no Longer Acceptable'

Earlier in June, during the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, US President Trump had urged India to cut down on the 'unacceptably high tariffs' imposed on the 28 American goods from June 16. India took the step after the United States shut down the preferential access to Indian goods which affected imports from India. India raised tariffs on items like almond, pulses and walnut, exported from the US in retaliation to America's withdrawal of preferential access for Indian products. In addition, Trump has also cited India's high import tariffs on the iconic Harley Davidson motorcycles as "unacceptable".

After the US rolled back export incentives for India under their Generalized System of Preference (GSP) programme with effect from June 5, trade talks between the two countries slowed down leading to further tensions between the two countries. 

Trade between and India and United States was worth $142.1 billion in 2018, with India having a surplus of $24.2 billion. The trade balance is in favour of India. 

READ | Top US Senator Slams Donald Trump For "damaging" Trade Ties With Ally India After Hike In Customs Duties On 28 US Products

(With agency inputs)