Agri sector just can't stay closed: US Commerce Secretary Urges India to Open the sector for better bilateral ties

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has urged India to open its agricultural sector for trade, stating, "it just can't stay closed." Speaking at the India Today Conclave, he emphasised the need for a bilateral trade agreement and suggested measures such as quotas or limits to manage the process, a TOI report stated.

US pushes for greater access to Indian agriculture

The US has long sought increased access to the Indian market for American agricultural products, including nuts, fruits, and poultry. However, India has kept the sector restricted due to domestic concerns. Lutnick acknowledged the challenges of complete liberalization but suggested, "Indian market for agriculture has to open up... How you do that and the scale by which you do that, may be, do quotas, may be do limits. You can be smarter when you have your most important trading partner on the other side of the table."

Call for a 'grand deal' on tariffs

Lutnick advocated for a broader trade agreement, urging India to reduce tariffs on American goods. "Let's bring India's tariff policy towards America down, and America will invite India to have really an extraordinary opportunity and relationship with us," he said.

US signals shift in military and geopolitical stance

Addressing broader India-US ties, Lutnick highlighted concerns over India’s defense purchases from Russia. "There are plenty of levers that govts can pull while doing business with each other... India has historically bought significant amounts of its military (equipment) from Russia. We think that is something that needs to end."

He also pointed to India's role in BRICS and China's proposal for a common currency, which the US sees as a move to undermine the dollar. "These are the kind of things that don't create the love and affection that we feel deeply towards India. We would like those things to end and we would trade to be more fair and we would like to create an incredible and strong relationship with India," he said.

China tariffs and upcoming discussions

Lutnick also touched upon US trade measures against China, stating, "China has very high tariffs. Tariffs we have put today is because of opioid production... when we get to April 2, we will talk of a broader range of tariffs."