Eric Garcetti, the US ambassador to India, has underlined the necessity of both nations working together to reduce tariffs in order to improve commercial relations. Garcetti noted that India is currently the “highest tariff” big economy in the world while speaking at a gathering hosted by the US-India Business Council. “We need to work together to lower tariffs, not to see them go up,” he said, emphasizing how crucial it is to improve the fairness and equity of trade.
Garcetti’s statements coincide with conversations about tariffs and trade barriers, especially in light of remarks made by Donald Trump, the US president-elect, who has previously attacked India’s high tariffs and raised the possibility of retaliatory penalties. Despite India’s efforts in lowering tariffs, Garcetti pointed out that substantial obstacles still impede the effectiveness of trade. He promoted more in-depth negotiations than cursory talks and called for “honest conversations” regarding these matters.
The ambassador also noted that the United States is now India’s biggest economic partner and that bilateral trade has grown significantly, tenfold since 2001. The two countries’ merchandise trade reached around $120 billion in the fiscal year 2023–2024. Garcetti urged both nations to work together to ensure that they can achieve their economic objectives through better protection and infrastructure.
