The Government has extended its deadline to impose retaliatory import duties on 29 products from the United States (US), including almond, walnut and pulses, till May 16.

A notification of the Finance Ministry has said that the implementation of increased customs duty on specified imports, originating in the US, has been postponed from May 2 to May 16 this year.

These deadlines were extended several times since June 2018, when India decided to impose these duties in retaliation to a move by the US to impose high customs duties on certain steel and aluminium products.

This extension comes after the US decided to withdraw export incentives being provided to them to Indian exporters under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme. The programme is expected to impact India’s exports to the US worth $5.6 billion under this scheme. The US has given 60 days notice, which would end this week, to withdraw these benefits.

Amid this, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu will hold bilateral meetings on May 6 here to discuss trade-related issues.

According to sources, India may go ahead with its decision to impose retaliatory tariffs if the US would withdraw the GSP benefits.

Further extension of GSP benefits was part of a trade package being negotiated between the countries. However, those negotiations hit a roadblock after the US announced its decision to roll back GSP benefits from Indian exporters.

The US administration has alleged that India in imposing high import duties on products such as paper and Harley Davidson motorcycles from America.

India wants US to exempt them from the high duty imposed on certain steel and aluminium products, provide greater market access for agriculture, automobile, automobile components and engineering sector products.

On the other hand, the US is demanding greater market access through a cut in import duties for its agriculture goods, dairy products, medical devices, IT and communication items.

As part of the imposition of higher import duties, India has notified higher tariffs on several products. While import duty on walnut has been hiked to 120 per cent from 30 per cent currently, duty on chickpeas, Bengal gram (chana) and masur dal will be raised to 70 per cent, from 30 per cent currently. Levy on lentils will be increased to 40 per cent, from 30 per cent.

India’s exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at $47.9 billion, while imports were at $26.7 billion. The trade balance is in favour of India.

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