Washington: Reflecting on their shared objective of deepening and broadening the bilateral trade relationship, India and the United States have launched a new Trade Policy Forum (TPF) Working Group on Resilient Trade following the 13th Ministerial-level meeting of India – United States Trade Policy Forum (TPF) here on January 11, 2023. Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and the US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai co-chaired the meeting.
The new Working Group will enable officials to deepen bilateral dialogue on a range of issues that can enhance the resiliency and sustainability of the trade relationship so that it is better able to withstand current and future global challenges.
In advance of the next TPF Ministerial meeting, the Resilient Trade Working Group will initially focus on the following areas:
- Deepening engagement in trade facilitation, which is particularly relevant to the construction of durable and sustainable supply chains. The Ministers welcomed plans for a dedicated working session on trade facilitation in the coming months, including on digitization of customs procedures, and that officials will also identify additional areas for future cooperation;
- The importance of benefitting workers and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, including a cooperative engagement to promote labour rights and workforce development;
- Expanded dialogue on good regulatory practices and pursuing cooperation in areas of mutual interest with an initial focus on respective procedures for developing rules and regulations in advance of the next TPF Ministerial meeting;
- The role that trade can play in contributing to environmental protection and responses to common sustainability challenges including issues related to mobilization of sustainable finance and scaling up of innovative clean technologies. Further, both sides may also engage on issues of mutual interest related to circular economy approaches and the promotion of sustainable lifestyle choices;
- Additional means of strengthening the resilience in our global supply chains, especially in the critical sectors that underpin our economies, as well as further work on these issues in coordination and cooperation with our trusted partners.
The Ministers underlined the significance of the TPF in forging robust bilateral trade ties and enhancing the bilateral economic relationship to benefit working people in both countries and highlighted the work undertaken through the TPF working groups since the 12th TPF Ministerial.
Both sides decided to continue close monitoring of visa issues with the shared resolve to facilitate the movement of professionals, skilled workers, experts, and scientific personnel.
India appreciated the resumption of inspections by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and asked the US side to also resume inspections of new facilities and non-priority areas at the earliest. New Delhi further highlighted its interest in the restoration of its beneficiary status under the US Generalized System of Preferences programme. The United States noted that this could be considered, as warranted, in relation to the eligibility criteria determined by the U.S. Congress.
The United States and India also exchanged views on potential targeted tariff reductions. The Ministers acknowledged the remaining work to be done to finalize access for certain agricultural products of interest to both sides. They also intend to increase dialogue on food and agricultural trade issues in 2023 and to continue work to address bilateral issues in the relationship through the Agriculture Working Groups, as well as the relevant sub-groups.
Recognizing the key role of the digital economy in both the United States and India, the Ministers affirmed the importance of a conducive ecosystem for digital trade that supports economic growth and innovation. They also agreed to enhance engagement through the TPF and ICT Working Groupon policies impacting digital trade. Goyal highlighted India’s interest in the potential of digital health, particularly telemedicine services as an element in continuity of care during health emergencies.
The Ministers welcomed the finalization of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) design with the technical support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – a United States scientific and regulatory agency. The collaboration between India and the United States to expedite the TED trials will ensure that the TEDs are effective in minimizing the impact of fishing on sea turtle populations. They highlighted that ongoing work to complete the TED trials in India will continue in early 2023.
The United States also welcomed the efforts to streamline regulations on certain electronic devices under Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) and Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) in order to reduce the compliance burden and facilitate the ease of doing business. Both sides highlighted their interest in exchanging information on the use of international standards, conformity assessment procedures, and the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) in the electronics sector.
– global bihari bureau
