India and the US have agreed to end six trade disputes at the WTO through mutually agreed solutions, while New Delhi will remove retaliatory customs duties on certain American products such as almonds, walnuts and apples.

Of the six disputes, three were initiated by India and as many by the US.

The six cases are countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, measures relating to the renewable energy sector, export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products and additional duties on some products from the US.

According to trade experts, both countries can resolve the disputes on mutually agreed terms and later inform the Geneva-based WTO.

“United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced that the United States and the Republic of India have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization. India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs which it had imposed in response to Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminium,” a USTR (United States Trade Representative) statement said.

Foreign trade analyst Biswajit Dhar said this was a positive announcement and would help in promoting bilateral trade. “We now have to see what trade-offs happen between the countries to finally end these trade disputes. The announcement overall looks positive. A strong mechanism needs to be put in place so that such disputes do not occur and be resolved through mutually agreed solutions.”

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (Fieo) director-general Ajay Sahai said “The withdrawal of additional duty on steel and aluminium will push our exports of these products to the US at a time the global chips are down, particularly for steel.”

“We hope this creates a congenial environment for the restoration of GSP (generalised system of preference) benefits to India which was withdrawn by the US,” he said.