US and India agree to resolve last WTO dispute

(Patria) - The United States announced on Friday that it had agreed with India to resolve its
last outstanding dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO), as leaders of both countries met at the G20 summit, AFP reports.

The agreement came as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted US President Joe Biden on Friday, and the White House later praised the "close and enduring partnership of the two nations".

"Today's agreement resolves a remaining long-standing dispute and opens a new chapter of bilateral cooperation that will deepen trade relations between the United States and India," the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) said.

The last major conflict involved poultry, particularly India's restrictions on imports of certain agricultural products from the United States due to concerns about avian influenza. As part of the agreement, India also agreed to reduce tariffs on certain US products such as frozen turkey and duck, as well as fresh blueberries and cranberries.

The tariff reduction will increase economic opportunities for American producers in a "critical market," the USTR said in a statement.

In June, both countries agreed to end six WTO disputes, and India also agreed to reduce tariffs on some US products such as chickpeas and lentils.