Overview

• In a high-profile Axios interview, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized India for blocking U.S. farm goods and said New Delhi must lower tariffs or face a tough time doing business with American consumers.
• Lutnick used India's refusal to import even a single bushel of U.S. corn as an example of barriers he says undercut fair access for American agriculture.
• The United States has imposed duties totaling about 50% on Indian exports, including a 25% penalty linked to India’s purchases of discounted Russian crude, which India has called unfair and unreasonable.
• Indian officials and interlocutors cite self-sufficiency in corn, restrictions on most genetically modified crop imports, and protection of a large farm workforce as reasons for limiting U.S. corn purchases.
• Despite the tariff standoff, both sides signal a restart of talks, with U.S. ambassador-designate Sergio Gor telling senators the two countries are not far apart and noting an invitation for an Indian commerce delegation.