We’re a trusted ally: Piyush Goyal to US

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 22

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday called upon the US to look upon India as a trusted partner while speaking at the Indo-US Trade Policy Forum which met here after four years with US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai leading the US delegation. She is accompanied by Deputy US Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi.

“The US and India have realised the necessity of diversifying their critical supply chains and both are poised to play an important role in developing a resilient supply chain. While the relationship has changed over the past few years, particularly through defence cooperation and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, it is time to take it to the next level of engagement,” the minister suggested.

In her opening speech, Tai mentioned India’s unpredictable regulatory requirements and restrictive trade and digital measures that prevent the smooth flow of goods and services between the two countries. She also raised the issue of fisheries subsidies on which India has a different approach.

But more important, Tai spoke of further collaboration on labour-centric policies and the need to connect trade to working people. The USTR was essentially reiterating the message she gave during her first two legs of her visit to Japan and South Korea and marks a shift in the Biden administration’s approach to trade. In Japan also, she had noted the importance of international cooperation on workers’ rights, including the importance of promoting responsible business practices in global supply chains.

Tai had cleared the decks in June for more meaningful conversations on trade by suspending retaliatory sanctions on India for imposing the digital services tax.

Tai and Goyal had held a virtual meeting on November 2, where they had agreed to take a comprehensive look at expanding the trade relationship. Last month, senior officials from the USTR Office, Chris Wilson, Brendan Lynch and Emily Ashby, had visited Delhi to prepare for the US-India Trade Policy Forum meeting which was agreed upon during the Modi-Biden meeting in September.