Fresno Leader

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced that the United States and the Republic of India reached an agreement to remove retaliatory tariffs on almonds, walnuts, apples, and other American products, many of which are grown in the San Joaquin Valley and California.

“This bilateral agreement is a big win for California agricultural producers, helping restore new market opportunities and removing tariffs on products like almonds, walnuts, and apples,” said Costa. “I’ve been tirelessly advocating to remove these trade barriers, so producers can continue to export critical goods. This reflects a new chapter to a strong economic and trade partnership between both democracies.”

California produces nearly 80% of the world’s almonds, with most being grown in the San Joaquin Valley. Shipments have more than doubled in volume over the last five years, from 167.1 million pounds in 2016-17 to over 362.1 million pounds in 2020-21. Since India had imposed tariffs, producers in the San Joaquin Valley and California experienced severe market losses. California is also the top walnut-producing state and fifth largest producing state of apples.

This bilateral agreement removes retaliatory tariffs, imposed in response to the U.S. Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminum, on certain U.S. products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. Costa led numerous efforts in advocating for the Biden Administration to push India to remove these tariffs.

Original source can be found here.