By Admin 
US President Donald Trump has indicated that his administration may consider imposing new tariffs on foreign agricultural products, including Indian rice and Canadian fertilizers. Trump made this statement in a meeting held at the White House, where farmers complained about the impact on the American market due to cheap foreign products. This meeting was organized during the $12 billion relief package announced for American farmers.
American farmers troubled by foreign cheap rice
The farmers present in the meeting alleged that some countries are selling rice at low prices in the American market, causing huge losses to domestic farmers. On this Trump said, ‘They are cheating.’ He indicated that these allegations would be investigated and if necessary, tariffs would be imposed.
Merrill Kennedy, CEO of Louisiana’s Kennedy Rice Mill, claimed that India, Thailand and China are the main countries of this alleged dumping. He said that China is sending large quantities of rice, especially to Puerto Rico where the supply of American rice has almost stopped. Kennedy said, ‘We have not sent rice there for years. Farmers are badly affected in the southern states.
The tariffs are working, but…
Merrill Kennedy said at the meeting that the tariffs are proving effective, but they need to be more stringent. Trump expressed surprise at this and said, ‘You want more?’ But he agreed that if any country is dumping then action will be taken against it.
Trump instructed US Finance Minister Scott Besant, who was present at the meeting, to note down the list of countries mentioned by the farmers. When the farmers started giving information about the Indian subsidy policy, Trump interrupted and said, ‘First tell me the names of the countries… India, who else?’
Besant cited India, Thailand and China as the main sources and said that more countries may be included in the list, details of which will be given later. Trump assured that ‘action will be taken very soon’ on this matter.
Canadian fertilizers also on target
During the discussion, Trump indicated that heavy duty could also be imposed on fertilizers coming from Canada so that domestic production could be promoted. According to Bloomberg report, both India and Canada are trying to make trade deals with the US, but there has been little progress in these talks in recent months. In August, the Trump administration imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian products, saying India had erected barriers to the US market and continued buying oil from Russia.
India-US trade talks on 10–11 December
A senior US delegation led by Rick Switzer, deputy head of the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), will resume trade talks with India this week. Both sides will discuss many important issues on 10 and 11 December and try to take forward the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal will lead the talks from the Indian side. He said that India is trying to finalize the first phase of the agreement by the end of this year. Speaking at FICCI’s annual meeting on November 28, Aggarwal said, ‘I am confident that we will complete the agreement within this calendar year.’