India Cuts Tariffs on U.S. Pecan Exports by 70%

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 Washington, D.C. — The Republic of India announced a major 70% cut to tariffs on U.S. pecan exports. It is a win for Georgia’s producers.

Sen. Jon Ossoff heard about the concerns during engagements last year with Georgia producers in Tift and Turner counties. At the farmers’ request, Ossoff has worked behind the scenes for months with U.S. trade negotiators and Indian government officials to open the Indian market for his state’s growers.

Jon Ossoff

“This is a huge win for Georgia pecan farmers, and it wouldn’t be possible without them,” said Ossoff. “India’s high pecan tariffs have prevented Georgia pecan exports to this market of more than one billion consumers. Today I can announce that after a year of painstaking diplomacy, the Indian government will cut that tariff by 70%. I thank U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai for her steadfast support, Indian Ambassador Sandhu for his constructive engagement, Senator (Raphael) Warnock for his teamwork, and Georgia’s farmers for their perseverance to secure this victory.”

Working to a Resolution

Ossoff met seven times with India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu over the last year. The two agreed to work together to make improvements to the U.S.-India trade relationship.

Ossoff met last year with Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Sarah Bianchi. She agreed at his urging to put reducing India’s high pecan tariffs at the top of the U.S.-India trade agenda.

Ossoff personally led an economic delegation to the Republic of India in August 2022. They met with key business and government leaders and continued urging for a reduction in tariffs.

Ossoff brought Tai and the U.S. Chief Agriculture Negotiator Doug McKalip to Georgia last month to meet with farmers and representatives of the main agricultural industries in the state. They briefed leaders on efforts to find a reduction in India’s high tariff.

Source: Jon Ossoff