India has refused to commit to the complete elimination of duty on industrial goods in specific sectors. Some of the major developed countries want developing nations such as India, China and Brazil to undertake complete duty elimination in specific sectors such as electronic products, chemicals and industrial machinery. “India has reservations on account of the effect of such a commitment on sectors and products, which are critical for employment generation and economic growth. There is also a proposal to eliminate tariffs on a list of environmental goods, which has not been supported by India and some other developing countries,” Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, D. Purandeswari informed Parliament in a written reply.
She said India had raised concerns relating to the unfair trade practices and policies being followed by the U.S
These included the exorbitantly high countervailing duty imposed on Indian steel products, and the American policy of giving preference to domestic solar energy equipment manufacturers for availing subsidy, thereby discriminating against imported products. “India has also raised objections on the domestic content requirements of certain renewable energy programs and water utility projects of the U.S.,” she said. India, along with other developing nations, was pressing United States and European Union for a reduction of trade-distorting agriculture subsidies they gave to their agricultural producers.
India and other WTO members have been seeking reduction in trade-distorting domestic support provided by both these members, in the agriculture negotiations under the Doha Round of trade negotiations in the WTO. Ms. Purandeswari said that for the WTO Ministerial Meet scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia, in December, efforts were being made to build consensus around a package for an early outcome of the stalled Doha Round of talks.
