USTR Holds Video Calls with Indian, Indonesian Counterparts

A readout of U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai's call with India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal made no mention of the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, where India was the largest beneficiary before it was barred over U.S. medical device and dairy exporters' complaints. The Indian government did not release a press release summarizing its view of the call. Tai's office said that they “agreed to work constructively to resolve key outstanding bilateral trade issues and to take a comprehensive look at ways to expand the trade relationship.”

“Ambassador Tai stressed the critical importance of cooperation on a broad set of issues, including digital trade, intellectual property, agriculture, labor, and climate and the environment,” the readout of the call continued.

Her office's release on a call with Indonesian Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi said they will keep working to expand trade between the two countries. When Lutfi was elevated to trade minister, he said making sure the GSP program is renewed and that Indonesia continues to participate would be a top priority. The GSP program expired at the end of last year.