| embassy of india - washington d.c | may 2016 monthly … m… · during the period jan. -...

India – U.S. Trade Analysis

India’s merchandise exports to the U.S. fell by 1.2%

from $ 15.18 billion during the period Jan. - Apr. 2015

to $ 15 billion during the period Jan. - Apr. 2016.

US exports of merchandise to India fell by 4% from

$ 6.92 billion during the period Jan. - Apr. 2015 to

$ 6.65 billion during the period Jan. - Apr. 2016.

India - U.S. bilateral merchandise trade during the

period Jan. - Apr. 2016 was $ 21.65 billion.

| Embassy of India - Washington D.C |

Commerce Wing

Monthly Commercial Report

__________________________________________________________________________

Inside Obama Administration rejects formal business participation in India TPF, S&CD..[p.11] President Obama discusses TPP, TTIP and steel overcapacity during trip to Vietnam and Japan..[p.12] USTR Froman announces additional country allocations for FY 2016 raw sugar and FY2017 allocations..[p.13] U.S. Department of Commerce finalizes duties on corrosion resistant steel product from India and other countries..[p.14]

USITC releases its report on the likely impact of the TPP on the U.S. economy..[p.14]

USITC blocks stainless steel from Indian company..[p.14]

At May 24 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, State Department official calls for U.S.-India BIT and urges India to adopt strong IP protections..[p.16]

Business groups call on President and congressional leaders to engage with PM during his June visit to US; claim 'backsliding' in key issue areas..[p.20]

In conversation with Wall Street Journal, PM highlights further opening of Indian economy to foreign investment and improving the ease of doing business..[p.22]

Plus Regular Features-India-U.S Trade Analysis; Trade trends; Top 10 export/import items

May 2016

P a g e | 1

India-US Bilateral Merchandise Trade

2183

1

2407

3

2570

4

2116

6

2953

3

3615

6 4051

4

4182

9 4524

4

4474

1

1500

4

9674

1496

9

1768

2

1644

1

1925

0

2150

4

2210

5

2181

1

2160

8

2153

0

4860

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

50000

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Jan. - Apr. 2016

India's Exports to U.S. India's Imports from U.S.

2012 2013 2014 2015 Jan. – Apr. 2016

India’s Exports to US 40514 (12.1) 41829 (3.3) 45244 (8.2) 44741 (-1.1) 15004 (-1.2)

India’s Imports from US 22106 (2.8) 21811 (-1.3) 21608 (-0.9) 21530 (-0.4) 6648 (- 4.0)

Total Trade 62619 (8.6) 63620 (1.6) 66852 (5.1) 66271 (-0.9) 21652 (2.6)

Source: US Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau

(US

$ M

illio

ns)

Percentage change over previous period, mentioned in parenthesis

(US $ Millions)

Bilateral Trade during the period January to April 2016

(US $ Millions)

US Exports US Imports US Total Trade

Growth%

Exports over

previous

period

Growth%

Imports over

previous

period

US Total Global Trade 466,719 687,271 1,153,990 -6.89 -5.92

US Trade with India 6,648 15,004 21,652 -3.96 -1.17

India's share in US Trade (%) 1.42 2.18 1.88


P a g e | 2

India-U.S. Bilateral Merchandise Trade

(US $ Millions)

Description 2013 2014 2015 Jan. - Apr.

2015

Jan. - Apr.

2016

% Change

2016/

2015

India's Exports to U.S. 41809 45244 44741 15181 15004 -1.17

U.S. Exports to India 21811 21608 21530 6922 6648 -3.96

Total Bilateral Trade 63620 66852 66271 22103 21652 2.04

Balance of Trade in India's

favor 19998 23636 23211 8259 8356 1.17

Percentage change in

Balance of Trade over

previous period

8.6 18.2 -1.8


P a g e | 3

Trends in Major items of Bilateral Trade

January - April 2016

Top ten items of India’s exports to US

3018

1707

832

781

780 87

7

906

587

453

433

3304

2603

850

763

719

673

617

585

463

437

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Jan. -Apr. 2015

Jan. -Apr. 2016

(9.5)

India’s Merchandise Exports to USA (Top Ten Items)

Source: US Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau% Change over previous period, mentioned in parenthesis

(US

$ M

illio

ns)

(52.4)

(2.3)(-2.4) (-7.8) (-23.3) (-31.9) (-0.3)

(2.2) (0.8)

Trends in the top 10 items of India’s Exports to the U.S.:

During the period Jan. - Apr.2016, exports of Cut and polished diamonds and jewelry exports amounted to $ 3304 million as compared to $ 3018 million during the period Jan. – Apr. 2015 which is an increase of 9.5%

Pharmaceutical products exports grew substantially by 52.4% to reach $ 2603 million, from $ 1707 million

Woven apparel exports increased by 2.3% from $ 832 million to $ 850 million

Textile articles fell by 2.4% from $ 781 million to $ 763 million

Organic Chemicals exports fell by 7.8% accounting for $ 719 million compared to $ 780 million

Machinery exports fell by 23.3% from $ 877 million to $ 673 million

Mineral Fuel oil exports fell by 31.9% to $ 617 million from $ 906 million

Exports of Knitted apparel exports fell by 0.3% to $ 585 million from $ 587 million

Vehicles except railway grew by 2.2% to $463 million from $ 453 million

Electrical machinery exports grew by 0.8% to $ 437 million from $ 433 million.

P a g e | 4

Top 10 items of India's Exports to US

January – April 2016

HS Code

Description US $ Million % Share % Change

2016/2015

_Total All Commodity Chapters 15004 100 -1.17

71 Nat Etc Pearls, Prec Etc Stones, Pr Met Etc; Coin 3304 22.02 9.45

30 Pharmaceutical Products 2603 17.35 52.44

62 Apparel Articles And Accessories, Not Knit Etc. 850 5.67 2.27

63 Textile Art Nesoi; Needlecraft Sets; Worn Text Art 763 5.08 -2.35

29 Organic Chemicals 719 4.79 -7.82

84 Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery Etc.; Parts 673 4.49 -23.31

27 Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc.; Bitumin Subst; Mineral Wax 617 4.11 -31.91

61 Apparel Articles And Accessories, Knit Or Crochet 585 3.9 -0.32

87 Vehicles, Except Railway Or Tramway, And Parts Etc 463 3.08 2.15

85 Electric Machinery Etc; Sound Equip; Tv Equip; Pts 437 2.91 0.79


P a g e | 5

Top 10 items of U.S. Exports to India

2118

759

421 48

3

528

388

238

202

176 13

0

1937

662

444

412

345

288

253

229

191

171

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Jan.- Apr. 2015

Jan. - Apr. 2016

(--8.5)

U.S. Merchandise Exports to India (Top Ten Items)

Source: US Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau% Change over previous period, mentioned in parenthesis

(US

$ M

illio

ns)

(-12.8)

(5.5)

(-14.9) (-34.6) (-25.9)(6.2) (13.3)

(8.4) (31.0)

Trends in the top 10 items of US exports to India:

During the period Jan- Apr 2016 exports of Cut and polished diamonds and jewelry exports amounted to

$ 1937 million as compared to $ 2118 million during the period Jan - Apr 2015 which is a decrease of 8.5%

Machinery exports fell by 12.8% from $759 million to $662 million

Optical & Medical Instruments exports grew by 5.5%, accounting for $ 444 million from $ 421 million

Electrical Machinery exports fell by 14.9% to $ 412 million from $ 483 million

Mineral Fuel, oil fell by 34.6% to $ 345 million from $ 528 million

Aircraft and parts exports fell by 25.9% to $ 288 million from $ 388 million

Organic Chemicals exports grew by 6.2% from $ 238 million to $ 253 million

Plastic Products exports grew by 13.3% from $ 202 million to $ 229 million

Miscellaneous Chemical products exports grew by 8.4% to $191 million from $176 million

Iron and Steel grew substantially by 31% to $ 171 million from $ 130 million.

P a g e | 6

Top 10 items of U.S. Exports to India


HS Code


2016/2015


71 Nat Etc Pearls, Prec Etc Stones, Pr Met Etc; Coin 1937 29.14 -8.51


90 Optic, Photo Etc, Medic Or Surgical Instrments Etc 444 6.67 5.5

85 Electric Machinery Etc; Sound Equip; Tv Equip; Pts 412 6.19 -14.88

27 Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc.; Bitumin Subst; Mineral Wax 345 5.19 -34.58

88 Aircraft, Spacecraft, And Parts Thereof 288 4.33 -25.88

29 Organic Chemicals 253 3.81 6.23

39 Plastics And Articles Thereof 229 3.44 13.33

38 Miscellaneous Chemical Products 191 2.88 8.38

72 Iron And Steel 171 2.57 30.96


P a g e | 7

TRENDS IN US GLOBAL TRADE

Top Ten Items of U.S. Global Imports


HS Code


2015/ 2014



85

Electric Machinery Etc; Sound Equip; Tv Equip;

Pts 98917 14.39 -1.18

87

Vehicles, Except Railway Or Tramway, And Parts

Etc 91504 13.31 3.72

27

Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc.; Bitumin Subst; Mineral

Wax 41848 6.09 -38.39


90

Optic, Photo Etc, Medic Or Surgical Instrments

Etc 25018 3.64 -0.95

71 Nat Etc Pearls, Prec Etc Stones, Pr Met Etc; Coin 19646 2.86 1.36

94

Furniture; Bedding Etc; Lamps Nesoi Etc; Prefab

Bd 18834 2.74 5.39


39 Plastics And Articles Thereof 15381 2.24 -3.62


P a g e | 8

Top Ten Items of U.S. Global Exports


HS Code


2015/ 2014



85

Electric Machinery Etc; Sound Equip; Tv Equip;

Pts 54030 11.58 -3.22

88 Aircraft, Spacecraft, And Parts Thereof 41820 8.96 0.27

87

Vehicles, Except Railway Or Tramway, And

Parts Etc 40318 8.64 -0.65

27

Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc.; Bitumin Subst; Mineral

Wax 27420 5.88 -23.32

90

Optic, Photo Etc, Medic Or Surgical Instrments

Etc 26919 5.77 -2.78

39 Plastics And Articles Thereof 19484 4.17 -3.28

71 Nat Etc Pearls, Prec Etc Stones, Pr Met Etc; Coin 18495 3.96 -8.86




P a g e | 9

Top 5 competitors of India’s top 5 exports to USA

S. No. Commodity Competitors by rank

1 Commodity: 71, Natural Or Cultured Pearls, Precious Or Semiprecious Stones, Precious Metals; Precious Metal Clad Metals, Articles Thereof; Imitation Jewelry; Coin

Canada

Israel

Mexico

Belgium

China

2 Commodity: 30, Pharmaceutical Products Ireland

Germany

Switzerland

Israel

Canada

3 Commodity: 62, Articles Of Apparel And Clothing

Accessories, Not Knitted Or Crocheted

China

Vietnam

Bangladesh

Indonesia

Mexico

4 Commodity: 63, Made-Up Textile Articles Nesoi;

Needlecraft Sets; Worn Clothing And Worn Textile

Articles; Rags

China

Pakistan

Bangladesh

Mexico

Turkey

5 Commodity: 29, Organic Chemicals

Ireland

China

United Kingdom

P a g e | 10

Switzerland

Germany


Top 5 competitors of India’s top 5 imports from USA

S. No. Commodity Competitors by rank

1 Commodity: 71, Natural Or Cultured Pearls, Precious Or

Semiprecious Stones, Precious Metals; Precious Metal

Clad Metals, Articles Thereof; Imitation Jewelry; Coin

Switzerland

Hong Kong

United Kingdom

Israel

Canada

2

Commodity: 84, Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery

And Mechanical Appliances; Parts Thereof

Mexico

Canada

China

Japan

Germany

3 Commodity: 90, Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic,

Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical Or Surgical

Instruments And Apparatus; Parts And Accessories

Thereof

Canada

China

Japan

Mexico

Germany

4 Commodity: 85, Electrical Machinery And Equipment And

Parts Thereof; Sound Recorders And Reproducers,

Television Recorders And Reproducers, Parts And

Accessories

Mexico

Canada

China

Hong Kong

Taiwan

P a g e | 11

5 Commodity: 27, Mineral Fuels, Mineral Oils And Products

Of Their Distillation; Bituminous Substances; Mineral

Waxes

Mexico

Canada

Netherlands

Brazil

Colombia


WHAT'S MAKING NEWS

Policy Changes; Bilateral Talks, Agreements; Notices etc. that can have an impact on India (Sources: taken from various media sources)

U.S. GOVERNMENT

Obama Administration rejects formal business participation in India TPF, S&CD

The Obama administration has made clear to House Ways & Means Committee members that it will not heed their request to give U.S. private-sector representatives a formal role in two trade policy dialogues between the U.S. and India to resolve irritants, according to informed sources.

In a response to a March 10 letter signed by 14 Ways & Means members, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman offered a general response that did not include a commitment to allow direct private sector participation in the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) and bilateral Strategic & Commercial Dialogue (S&CD), according to a congressional aide. Instead, Froman's May 3 letter stated that the administration values and takes into account private-sector input in preparing for the TPF and S&CD. In the view of the private-sector and its congressional supporters, the two forums have done little to resolve U.S.-India trade frictions and would like a more formal role similar to the one business representatives have in the U.S.-China bilateral dialogues. The March 10 Ways & Means letter was addressed to both Pritzker and Froman and singled out intellectual property as an area in which private sector participation in the TPF could yield the most progress.

U.S. claims compliance on hot rolled steel products from India, but agrees to litigation process

Within weeks of notifying the World Trade Organization that it had complied with a 2014 adverse ruling of the Appellate Body in a countervailing duty case on hot-rolled steel from India, the U.S. agreed to a sequencing agreement laying out the litigation process over compliance and potential retaliation. The U.S.-India understanding on compliance and retaliation procedures was published by the WTO on May 11, and the U.S. notified the Dispute Settlement Body of its compliance with the far-reaching case on April 22 after both the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission revised their respective determinations under section 129 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. The deadline for implementing the Appellate Body ruling of December 2014 was April 18, 2016, after a one-month extension. The sequencing agreement seems designed to move along the litigation process in the case. It stipulates that if India disagrees with the U.S. compliance claims, it can seek consultations and they will be held within 14 days of such request. If India proceeds to a compliance panel, the U.S. will agree to it upon the first request. This is contrary to the regular process under which a party can oppose a first panel request, but not a second one.

P a g e | 12

President Obama discusses TPP, TTIP and steel overcapacity during trip to Vietnam and Japan

During his visit to Vietnam, President Obama held bilateral meetings in Hanoi with a number of high-ranking Vietnamese state officials that will touch on a range of topic. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman during a press call last week touted Vietnam's labor obligations under the agreement and noted that the administration sent teams “over the last couple of months” to Vietnam to discuss “an array of obligations” under the agreement. He said this was part of an effort to begin implementation of the trade agreement at an accelerated rate before congressional consideration. Traditionally, trade agreement partners are not asked to implement deals before ratification in their country, Froman said. USTR is continuing to discuss a timetable for a TPP vote with congressional leadership as well as specific complaints about the agreement, Froman said, but when asked did not provide a timeline for consideration of the deal on Capitol Hill.

From Vietnam, President Obama traveled to Shima, Japan, for the May 26-27 G7 leaders summit, where he held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During the G-7 meeting, the President discussed a number of issues including the global overcapacity in steel and aluminum. USTR Froman said that the G7 meeting also provided an opportunity for the U.S. and European Union to discuss TTIP and search for additional “political will” to address outstanding issues in the negotiations in “pragmatic and creative” ways. The administration's goal is still to reach a TTIP deal this year, he said.

President signs Trade Secrets bill into law

President Barack Obama signed the Defend Trade Secrets Act into law on May 11. The bill, sponsored by Hatch, allows companies to seek civil remedies for trade secret theft in federal court. The legislation would fulfill a TPP provision requiring countries to ensure companies have the "legal means" to prevent trade secret theft. The Defend Trade Secrets Act will "“not only to go after folks who are stealing trade secrets through criminal actions, but also through civil actions, and hurt them where it counts in their pocketbook,” Obama said.

President Obama says G-7 leaders recommitted to finishing TPP and TTIP this year

In comments to reporters during the G-7 summit in Shima, Japan, President Obama said that the G-7 countries have recommitted to finishing TPP and TTIP this year. "We had a chance to talk about trade -- not only TPP and our involvement in that, but also T-TIP -- and recommitted ourselves to making sure that we try to finish those negotiations before the end of the year, and emphasized the importance of pushing back against either protectionism or competitive currency devaluations, or the kinds of beggar-thy-neighbor strategies that all too often end up leaving everybody worse off," President Obama said.

US Trade Representative Froman believes Congress will approve TPP before President Obama leaves office

USTR Froman in an interview with Politico said that he still believes that Congress will approve the TPP agreement before President Obama leaves office. "We see the nuts and bolts coming together,” Froman told Politico. “We see the issues being worked through and we see the foundation being laid with members as they get more information, not just from us, but, importantly, from stakeholders." Passing the agreement will require a big push from the business community in the face of outright hostility to new trade liberalization from many in Obama’s own party as well as from a surprising number of Republicans, as Donald Trump’s candidacy has revealed.

P a g e | 13

USTR Froman says Treasury Department financial services fix will help build momentum to reaching consensus

on TPP

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman has said he hopes that the financial services fix unveiled by the Treasury Department will get the ball rolling on other issues that need to be addressed in TPP. "This is an important, collaborative solution that will help build momentum for reaching consensus in other areas of TPP,” Froman said in a statement. “It shows that when we dig into the details with stakeholders and members of Congress, we can find common ground approaches that satisfy a range of priorities. As we continue our collaborative work on how TPP will be implemented and enforced, we expect the already strong support for TPP to continue to grow."

Unless the President disapproves within the next 60 days the final determination of the USITC, Viraj Profiles will be blocked from selling stainless steel products in the United States for 16.7 years.

USTR Froman announces additional country allocations for FY 2016 raw sugar; also announces FY2017 Tariff-

Rate Quota allocations for raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar and sugar containing products

United States Trade Representative Michael Froman on May 27 announced an additional country-specific allocations under the tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for imported raw cane sugar for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 (October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016). On May 18, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture announced an additional in-quota quantity for the TRQ for raw cane sugar for the remainder of FY 2016 in the amount of 127,006 metric tons raw value (MTRV). This quantity is in addition to the minimum amount to which the United States is committed under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Uruguay Round Agreements. Of the 127,006 MTRV, India has been allocated 1146 MTRV for the remainder of FY2016

USTR Froman also announced the (TRQs) on imported raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar and sugar-containing products for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017). On May 6, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture announced the establishment of the in-quota quantity for raw cane sugar for FY 2017. The in-quota quantity for the TRQ on raw cane sugar for FY 2017 is 1,117,195 metric tons raw value (MTRV), which is the minimum amount to which the United States is committed under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement. Of the 1,117, 195 MTRV, USTR has allocated 8424 metric tons raw value (MTRV) of the raw cane sugar TRQ to India for FY 2017.

Secretary of Commerce expresses confidence that Congress would approve TPP this year

On May 3, U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker expressed confidence that Congress would approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact this year, despite the opposition of leading presidential candidates. "I'm a believer that we get this done," Pritzker said during the Council of the Americas annual meeting at the State Department. "I think it's complicated, but it's doable." She said that the TPP offers both economic and national security benefits. she also acknowledged that the administration hasn't "done a good job of connecting the dots" for American workers about how they will be better off under the agreement.

US Department of Commerce imposes preliminary antidumping duties on welded steel pressure pipes from India

On May 4, the U.S. Commerce Department today announced preliminary anti-dumping duties of about 19 percent on imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from India. Steamline Industries is among the producers and exporters that have received a preliminary dumping margin of 18.90 percent. Commerce said its investigation found only minimal dumping by another targeted company, known both as Sunrise Stainless and

P a g e | 14

Sun Mark Stainless, so no duties would be collected if that finding stands. Final duty levels will be announced in September, Commerce said.

U.S. Department of Commerce finalizes duties on corrosion resistant steel product from India and other

countries

On May 25, the Commerce Department issued final anti-dumping and countervailing duty margins on corrosion-resistant steel products from India, China, Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan. The final duties could be significant given the value in trade of these items. In 2015, imports of the steel products from India, China, Italy, Korea, and Taiwan were valued at an estimated $219.6 million, $500.3 million, $110 million, $509.1 million, and $534.4 million, respectively. In the India CVD investigation, the Commerce Department determined that mandatory respondent JSW Steel Limited received countervailable subsidies at a rate of 29.46 percent and that respondent Uttam Galva Steels Limited received a countervailable subsidies at a rate of 8.00 percent. All other producers/exporters in India received a subsidy rate of 18.73 percent.

In the India AD investigation, the Commerce Department found dumping has occurred by the mandatory respondents JSW Steel, Ltd. and Uttam Galva Steels Limited at margins of 4.44 percent and 3.05 percent, respectively. For all other producers/exporters in India the Commerce Department calculated a dumping margin of 3.86 percent.

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) releases its report on the likely impact of the TPP on the U.S. economy

On May 18, the USITC released its report assessing the likely impact the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement will have on the U.S. economy as a whole and on specific industry sectors and the interests of U.S. consumers, as requested by the U.S. Trade Representative and required by the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015.

The Commission estimated that the TPP would have positive effects, albeit small as a percentage of the overall size of the U.S. economy. By year 15 (2032), U.S. annual real income would be $57.3 billion (0.23 percent) higher than the baseline projections, real GDP would be $42.7 billion (0.15 percent) higher, and employment would be 0.07 percent higher (128,000 full-time equivalents). U.S. exports and U.S. imports would be $27.2 billion (1.0 percent) and $48.9 billion (1.1 percent) higher, respectively, relative to baseline projections. U.S. exports to new FTA partners would grow by $34.6 billion (18.7 percent); U.S. imports from those countries would grow by $23.4 billion (10.4 percent).

USITC blocks stainless steel from Indian company

On May 25, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) made its final determination in a Section 337 investigation launched in October 2014 involving certain stainless steel products from Viraj Profiles Limited of Mumbai. The USITC instituted the investigation following a complaint from Valbruna Stainless Inc based in Indiana. In its complaint, Valbruna alleged violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act by reason of the misappropriation of trade secrets, the threat or effect of which is to destroy or substantially injure an industry in the United States.

In its final determination the USITC determined that the appropriate remedy is a limited exclusion order which prohibits for 16.7 years from the date of the order, the entry of stainless steel products manufactured by or on behalf of Viraj Profiles using any of the misappropriated trade secrets identified in Valbruna’s complaint. The USITC has also determined to issue a cease and desist order prohibiting Viraj Profiles from, inter alia, importing or selling the subject products.

https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4607.pdf

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USITC releases report concerning possible modifications to GSP for additions, removals and competitive need limitation waivers

On May 27, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) released a public version of its confidential report on possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The investigation, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review (Investigation No. 332-556) was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

The USITC submitted a confidential version of the report to the USTR on April 26, 2016. The USTR requested that the USITC issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information deleted. The USITC provided advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of the addition of the certain products. The USITC also provided advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of the removal of 5 HTS subheadings for specified countries. There were two products from India on which USITC provided advice in this regard, namely: 3204.20.10 (fluorescent brightening agent), 3204.20.80 (other fluorescent brightening agents), and 3907.60.00 (PET Resin). The USITC considered the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of competitive need limitation waivers. "Competitive need limits" represent the maximum import level of a product that is eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP. USITC provided advice for 4 HTS subheadings. From India, the product consider was: 8708.50.95 (parts and accessories of motor vehicle of 8701, nesoi, 8702 and 8704-8705, half-shafts).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) establishes a Trade Enforcement Task Force

On May 2, the U.S. CBP announced that last month it established a Trade Enforcement Task Force within CBP’s Office of Trade to further protect the American economy and domestic industry. The task force enables CBP to leverage new enforcement authorities of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, which strengthens CBP’s enforcement capabilities and methods to better enforce U.S. trade laws, including antidumping countervailing duty laws. The Act also enhance CBP’s efforts to combat the import of counterfeit goods and protect intellectual property rights holders, and eliminates obstacles to preventing imports made with forced or child labor into the United States. “This task force strengthens CBP's ability to detect high-risk activity, target illicit trade networks, and work with industry to disrupt evasion of U.S. trade laws,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “It focuses expertise and resources to safeguard the U.S. market and ensure a fair and competitive trade environment."

CBP Commissioner says he plans to block all forced labor imports, will use self initiation

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske on May 11 told the Senate Finance Committee he would step up the fight against forced labor imports with the goal of blocking all of them. To do so, he said, he would have CBP self-initiate investigations instead of relying on the more time-consuming process of petitions. CBP's new focus on fighting forced labor imports is driven by a provision in the Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Act (TFTEA) passed earlier this year. It closes a loophole exempting products made with forced labor if the merchandise was not available in the United States in sufficient quantities to meet U.S. consumer demand. CBP in the past has relied on this exception when it refused to pursue forced labor investigations.

Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) issues policy change with respect to VA Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) that may impact pharmaceutical manufacturers The Department of Veteran Affairs has issued a change in policy with respect to VA Federal Supply Schedules that may have an effect pharmaceutical manufacturers. The announcement broadens mandatory VA Schedule 65|B coverage to drugs that were previously excluded from that Schedule because of their non-compliance with the

https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4609.pdf

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country-of-origin requirements of the Trade Agreements Act (TAA). Contracts that are subject to the TAA, which includes all FSS contracts, incorporate the applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Trade Agreements Act clause, which essentially requires that government customers purchase only U.S. or designated country end products. This change in policy has a number of significant implications as it provides an opportunity for pharmaceutical manufacturers to increase their sales through FSS contracts. Specifically, manufacturers that produce drugs in non-designated countries, such as China, India or Malaysia, will now have the U.S. government market available to them through the FSS program. Under new FDA rule food facilities must act to prevent intentional adulteration The Food & Drug Administration has finalized a new food safety rule that will require food businesses in the United States and abroad to take steps to prevent intentional adulteration of the food supply. This rule, which incorporates several major revisions from the FDA’s proposal to provide for greater flexibility and clarity, marks the last of the seven major rules implementing the core of the Food Safety Modernization Act to be completed. This rule is effective as of July 26 but compliance for facilities other than small and very small businesses will not be required until July 26, 2019. Small businesses will have until July 26, 2020, and very small businesses will have until July 26, 2021.

U.S. CONGRESS

At May 24 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, State Department official calls for U.S.-India BIT and urges India to adopt strong IP protections

On May 24, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing "U.S.-India Relations: Balancing Progress & Managing Expectations." Testifying before the committee were Nisha Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs; Alyssa Ayres (Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia, Council on Foreign Relations); and Sadanand Dhume (Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute).

During her testimony, Assistant Secretary Biswal highlighted the progress that has been made across every major dimension of the U.S.-India relationship, including strategic, economic, defense, security and energy and environment ties. On the economic front, Assistant Secretary Biswal touted the expansion of trade between the two countries from $60 billion in 2009 to over $107 billion in 2015 and Indian FDI into tht US tripling between 2009 and 2014. Biswal noted that India can step other steps to attract more companies to the United States including the signing of a bilateral investment treaty, strengthening the IPR regime and creating creating a more transparent and predictable regulatory and tax regime.

Senate passes MTB reform bill; President signs bill into law

On May 10, the Senate by a unanimous vote passed the MTB reform bill also known as the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016. The bill was sent to the President who signed into law on May 20. "This is without a doubt a major victory," Jay Timmons, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, said in a statement.The legislation gets around the House Republican ban on earmarks by requiring the U.S. International Trade Commission to vet company requests for temporary tariff relief, instead of leaving that job to lawmakers. The last MTB passed by Congress expired at the end of 2012. Since then, companies have faced an annual $748 million tax hike on manufacturing in the United States, representing a $1.857 billion loss to the U.S. economy, NAM said.

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Following release of USITC report on TPP, House Ways & Means Ranking Democrat Sander Levin reiterates opposition to TPP

House Ways & Means Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-Michigan) is reiterating his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership after a May 18 International Trade Commission analysis found the deal would damage the U.S. auto and auto parts industry. In a May 18 statement, Levin said the ITC report confirmed his fears that “the weak automotive rules of origin in the agreement will result in lost auto parts jobs in the United States.” The ITC study found that auto parts jobs would decrease 0.3 percent when compared to a 2032 baseline. It also found that output and employment in the passenger vehicle sector would benefit under TPP, but that the overall trade deficit in autos would grow.

Levin also criticized the report's methodology for failing to analyze in depth the impact TPP would have on income and wealth inequality, not taking into account transition costs workers would face if they lose their jobs, the failure of the report to analyze the impact TPP's labor obligations would have on U.S. employment, and not analyzing whether TPP's benefits would be offset by the lack of currency manipulation provisions.

Following release of USITC's report, Senator Hatch calls on the Administration to actively engage on outstanding issues

Following the release of the USITC's TPP report, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch in a statement called on the Administration to actively engage on outstanding issues. In a statement, Senator Hatch said, "The implementation of a strong TPP that meets the high standards set by bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority remains a priority. However, the agreement’s success hinges on a strong and honest partnership between Congress and the administration. As Congress continues to undertake a rigorous review of the TPP, I’m hopeful that the Obama Administration will work actively with members to resolve outstanding substantive and implementation concerns."

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady says the TPP cannot move forward without implementation plans

In his statement following the release of the USITC's TPP report, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady said that the TPP cannot move forward without implementation plans. Chairman Brady appreciating the work of the USITC which found that implementing the TPP would grow the U.S. economy said, "....the agreement is not perfect. We will also continue to work with the Administration to resolve Members’ outstanding concerns about this agreement. Again, it’s the substance of TPP that will drive the timing and process in Congress, not the other way around. We cannot move forward until the Administration has addressed Member concerns on key aspects of the agreement, including by developing implementation plans on key obligations in the agreement to ensure that our trading partners will comply and TPP will deliver significant benefits across our country."

Senator Orrin Hatch says Obama administration has failed to move on biologics; signals 50:50 chance for TPP vote this year

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today said the White House remains unwilling to move beyond five years of market exclusivity for biologics in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) rather than the 12 years he is seeking, and warned that the administration's failure to change on the issue would essentially kill chances for a Senate vote on the agreement. “We had multiple meetings with the White House and they don't seem to be willing to go beyond the five years [of market exclusivity] and frankly I think we got to have at least 12 years or the system does not work,” he said. Anything short of that will mean the U.S. will get “screwed,” or be “very badly mistreated by countries which will be basically stealing our patents,” he said. “It's going to change or there

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is not going to be any agreement [on which the Senate will vote],” Hatch asserted. “It's that simple.” Asked about the assessment by New Democrat Coalition Vice-Chair Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) late last week that there is a “50-50” chance for a lame-duck TPP vote, Hatch said that it is “probably a fairly reasonable statement.”

Senate Majority Leader casts doubts on vote on TPP during lame-duck session

In an interview on May 1, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell cast doubts on the possibility of a Congressional vote on TPP during the lame duck session. According to McConnell, the “biggest problem” for a TPP vote this year is a political environment in which all of the major presidential candidates are against the deal, but he also flagged problems with the tobacco and pharmaceutical provisions. He said the TPP does not deal “fairly” with these industries.

“The political environment to pass a trade bill is worse than any time in the time I have been in the Senate,” he said. “It looks bleak for this year [to have a TPP vote], that's the bad news” for supporters of free trade, he said. “But the good news is the deal doesn't go away, it's still there” to be modified or dealt with by the next president under fast-track, he said.

Anti-TPP House Democrats working hard to ensure TPP vote does not take place in lame duck session

House Democrats opposed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership said on May 5 that they will be working hard to ensure a vote does not happen in the post-election “lame duck” but the Administration seems determined to push through the trade deal this year despite public opposition. Representative Rose DeLauro (D-Connecticut) told reporters that the Administration continues with its TPP push despite the fact that the three remaining Presidential candidates from both the parties are opposed to the TPP.

House Democrats raise concerns about U.S. officials reportedly pressuring Columbian government to not issue

a compulsory license

Fifteen House Democrats from the Ways & Means Committee have raised concerns about U.S. officials reportedly pressuring the Colombian government to not issue a compulsory license that would invalidate a patent on a cancer medication. “As you know, the issuance of compulsory licenses is permissible under U.S. trade agreements and the WTO Agreement. ... We therefore find it deeply troubling that U.S. officials may not be respecting the Doha Declaration,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter sent to Froman on May 25. “There are growing concerns about the very high and increasing costs of pharmaceuticals in the United States and in other nations. And the annual price of this medicine in Colombia is almost twice as much as the average annual income per person in Colombia. As policymakers struggle to address this issue, we should not seek to limit the existing, agreed upon flexibilities public health authorities have to address these concerns. We ask that you clarify the position the administration has taken in meetings with Colombian officials on this important issue as soon as possible.” The letter from the House Democrats to USTR Froman may be viewed here: http://1.usa.gov/1U8OdrT

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Clinton does not back TPP vote in lame duck Congressional session

The Washington Post reported on May 6 that Hillary Clinton has signaled that if elected president she would not support a vote on TPP during the lame duck session of Congress. In a candidate questionnaire released today by an anti-TPP activist group Clinton said, "I have said I oppose the TPP agreement – and that means before and after the election," in response to a question on whether she would oppose a TPP vote in the lame duck session. Senator Bernie Sanders who has been a long time critic of U.S. trade pacts in his response said, "Holding a vote on the TPP during a 'lame duck' session would be going against the will of the people."

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Clinton sets the record straight on her stance on trade

During an interview on May 8, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton responded to critiques on her stance on free trade by her Democratic rival Senator Bernie Sanders and by presumed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. "I do believe in trade." Clinton said, going on to explain, "We are five percent of the world's population. We have to trade with the other 95 percent. That has on balance been a net plus for our economy." The former secretary of state said that she has "called for a trade prosecutor to report directly to the president," and warned of people that take advantage of our markets. "We need to be much more affirmative in stopping them from doing that." she said. Clinton added that she would clarify that as a senator she voted against the only multinational trade agreement and called to renegotiate NAFTA during her first presidential bid and opposes the TPP in its current form. "I said I would like to renegotiate NAFTA when I ran in 2008," she said Sunday. "And I currently oppose TPP in its current form."

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump slams China on trade

During a rally in Indiana the Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump said that China was responsible for “the greatest theft in the history of the world.” Trump has long accused China of manipulating its currency to make its exports more competitive globally. This, he says, has badly damaged US businesses and workers. “We’re going to turn it around, and we have the cards, don’t forget it,” he added. “We have a lot of power with China.” Mr. Trump, in his campaign manifesto, pledges to “cut a better deal with China that helps American businesses and workers compete.” He sets out four goals that include immediately declaring China “a currency manipulator” and putting “an end to China’s illegal export subsidies and lax labor and environmental standards.”

BUSINESS/ADVOCACY GROUPS

National Association of Manufacturers calls on U.S. government to address key concerns with India In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Secretary of Commerce, the President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, Jay Timmons has urged the US government to address key concerns of U.S. manufacturers with regards to India. NAM is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all of the states. In the letter, Timmons says despite India being the world's fastest growing economy there remain significant trade barriers such as tariffs and trade facilitation , localization policies, intellectual property rights protections, and the ease of doing business. "Concrete and sustained progress is needed to address these troublesome issues that undermine the ability of manufacturers in the United States to forge a more robust commercial relationship with India," Timmons says. The letter makes note of the expanding U.S.- India commercial relationship including the renewal of the Strategic & Commercial Dialogue (S&CD) and the Trade Policy Forum (TPF), but stresses that these dialogues "must move beyond rhetoric to capture concrete deliverables." NAM has compiled a priorities document with "specific priorities and deliverables" that would demonstrate progress in this year's dialogues. In this document NAM highlights four priority areas for discussion on commercial issues through the S&CD and TPF: tariffs and trade facilitation, forced localization, intellectual property and investment/ease of doing business. Business groups call on President and congressional leaders to engage with PM during his June visit to US;

claim 'backsliding' in key issue areas

On May 23, 17 business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), in a letter to President Obama and the following Congressional leaders: Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Senate Minority Leader Harry

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Reid (D-Nevada), have called for engagement with the PM during his June visit to the United States to "advance both discussions and concrete action to produce a stronger and more-promising U.S.-India commercial relationship." In both letters the business groups state that "real, meaningful progress remains elusive, and recent signals indicate backsliding in key areas" and as an example of this highlight India's IPR policy, which they say "falls far short of industry expectations." The letter claims that there are several "persistent issues" which continue to make India a challenging place for U.S. companies to do business. These issues as mentioned in the letter include: forced localization policies in the information technology, energy, and other sectors; excessively high tariffs in a range of sectors; tariff increases that appear to violate the Information Technology Agreement; longstanding challenges on intellectual property; lack of predictability in enforcing the rule of law; barriers to investment, including proposed bans on further foreign direct investment in certain sectors and other related barriers to FDI, such as ex ante vertical integration restrictions in the broadcasting sector; and bureaucratic action that interferes with private sector contractual arrangements continue to hinder company operations and ensure that India remains a challenging place for U.S. companies to do business.

The letter to the President may be viewed here: http://bit.ly/1NNLvvD and the letter to Congressional leaders may be viewed here: http://bit.ly/1szjH3X

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) comments on India's IPR policy PhRMA, the leading trade group representing companies in the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, has been quoted as being disappointed with India's new IPR policy. In its statement PhRMA said it looks forward to discussing the policy “and hope this will include meaningful reforms” to India’s intellectual property laws. “We believe areas of the policy need to be strengthened to accelerate the reforms needed to foster medical innovation and enhance India’s global competitiveness,” the trade group added, although it was not specific about the changes it would like to see made to the policy. U.S. Chamber of Commerce issues statement following release of India's IP policy The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) Executive Director of International Intellectual Property, Patrick Kilbride, issued the following statement marking the release of India’s National Intellectual Property Rights Policy: “We hope today’s announcement is a precursor to the concrete, structural changes that are necessary if India is to implement a strong IP-led innovation model. Words are empty without action, and we need to see the Modi administration’s expressed commitment to IP matched by decisive legal reforms. India must provide enhanced certainty for the rights of innovators in line with international best practice. We will be carefully reviewing this policy to determine whether this document creates the foundation for such steps. Regardless, IP will continue to be a central issue for any discussions between India and the international business community.” NAM says India's IP policy shows missed opportunity

The director for international business policy at the National Association for Manufacturers (NAM), Ryan Ong, in an article regarding India's IP policy says, "Far from being the breakthrough document that India’s government has claimed, the final policy framework shows with little improvement to critical language and new, troubling provisions in key areas such as patents and trade secrets." Among NAM's concerns regarding the policy are:

Continued use of language reaffirming India’s view that its IPR laws are robust and calling for India’s continued broad use of flexibilities under international IPR agreements, language that has used in the

http://bit.ly/1NNLvvD

http://bit.ly/1szjH3X

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past to justify broad compulsory licensing powers including with regard to environmental and healthcare technologies and innovations.

Explicit requirements to ensure enhanced access to patented medicines, including use of “new licensing models” and language calling on India to take “strong measures” against attempts to treat generic drugs as spurious or counterfeit.

Expanded language on IPR licensing and technology transfer, setting these as explicit national goals and increased language related to standard-essential patents (SEPs) and active use of competition enforcement to address licensing abuses.

Removal of requirements for India to enact laws in key areas like trade secrets and patents, and remaining language that provides little push for India to revise key IPR laws that are out-of-date and out-of-line with international practice.

Médecins Sans Frontières calls TPP "the worst trade deal for access to medicines"

In a press release on May 11, Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors without Borders (MSF) called the TPP "the worst trade deal ever for access to medicines." The U.S. manager and legal advisor for the MSF's Access Campaign, Judit Rius Sanjuan said, "There’s still time for Mexico and Peru to stop this trade deal from negatively impacting access to medicines." Sanjuan pointed out that, " "Voting for the TPP will hurt the 800 million people in TPP countries and potentially millions more by locking them into a deal that will make lifesaving treatments unaffordable for those who need them most. These key countries must reject the worst trade deal ever for access to medicines and uphold their obligations to protect public health."

400 companies from 10 states call for passage of TPP

More than 400 companies and business groups are targeting lawmakers from 10 states to try to gain their support for passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership this year. “As congressional leaders and the administration work to address some outstanding issues and agree on a path for a successful vote this year, we urge you to encourage that effort and express your support for moving forward on a strong, market-opening TPP this year,” the businesses write in letters sent Monday to the congressional delegations of each state. The letters were signed by businesses with operations in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

1500 groups opposed to TPP send letter to lawmakers highlighting reasons for opposition

1,500 groups and organizations opposed to the TPP, including the AFL-CIO, Food & Water Watch, Greenpeace and the National Farmers Union sent a letter to lawmakers highlighting their reasons for opposing the agreement. The letter, organized by Citizens Trade Campaign, highlights five overarching reasons to oppose TPP: it would offshore jobs and lower wages, undermine environmental protections, compromise food safety, make it more difficult to access life-saving medicines, and give investors special authority to challenge domestic policies. “The TPP does not deserve your support,” the letter says. “Had Fast Track not become law, Congress could work to remove the misguided and detrimental provisions of the TPP, strengthen weak ones and add new provisions designed to ensure that our most vulnerable families and communities do not bear the brunt of the TPP’s many risks.”

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REPORTS & PUBLICATIONS

In conversation with Wall Street Journal, PM highlights further opening of Indian economy to foreign

investment and improving the ease of doing business

On May 25, in an interview with Gerard Baker, Editor in Chief of The Wall Street Journal, the Prime Minister said he had opened up more of the economy to foreign investment and made changes to curb corruption, fill gaps in rural infrastructure and make it easier to do business. “I have actually undertaken the maximum reforms,” the Prime Minister said. But, he added, “I have an enormous task ahead for myself.”

President Obama calls for quick congressional approval of TPP in Washington Post op-ed In a Washington Post op-ed on May 2, President Obama called for quick congressional approval of the TPP. "The world has changed. The rules are changing with it," Obama said in the op-ed. "The United States, not countries like China, should write them. Let's seize this opportunity, pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership and make sure America isn't holding the bag, but holding the pen." President Obama further noted that the administration is "working closely with leaders in Congress to secure bipartisan approval for our trade agreement, mindful that the longer we wait, the harder it will be to pass the TPP." U.S. business groups expressing growing frustration with India- The Hill An article in The Hill on May 3 noted that the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are among the groups that are expressing frustration in bring about India's lack of progress toward removing trade and economic barriers and opening the country's markets to U.S. exports. Linda Dempsey, vice president of international economic affairs for NAM is quoted as saying that, "India’s actions have not kept pace at all with the rhetoric." On the PM's visit she said,"I don’t think him coming to Washington and saying the same words and not following up with action is going to go over well with U.S. businesses." The article reported that Patrick Kilbride of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC), highlighted that India has regularly been a poor performer on intellectual property (IP) protections relative to the rest of the world. “There is disappointment in the slow pace of political change during the Modi administration,” Kilbride said. “I’m hopeful the upcoming visit will be a vehicle to relaunch the Modi’s administration commitment to IP,” he said. Kilbride also pointed that while India is in the final stages of reviewing a national policy on intellectual property that it will likely fall short of what is needed, “but it will be a step in a right direction.”

OTHER INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

TPP ministers give updates on domestic ratification on margins of APEC

Trans-Pacific Partnership ministers briefed each other on the margins of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum's trade ministers meeting on the status of their domestic ratification processes and agreed on two technical administrative issues related to agreement, according to informed sources and government readouts of the May 17-18 meeting. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman told ministers it is the Obama administration's goal to get TPP approval in a lame-duck session this year, and that a vote would not be possible before then, according to informed sources. He also signaled the administration is not interested in renegotiating the text of the TPP agreement in response to congressional demands for TPP fixes, they said. He told ministers several times that the U.S. is conscious that what was negotiated cannot be reopened, according to these sources. Six countries are already in the ratification process: Malaysia, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam and Brunei. Legislatures in Japan and New Zealand are on track to ratify TPP this year.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-narendra-modi-defends-efforts-to-shake-up-economy-1464197048

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British PM says TTIP not dead despite French PM saying he would reject it at this stage

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said the that the U.S.- EU TTIP deal is not dead despite the French PM Francois Hollande saying on May 4 that he would reject it “at this stage” because France was opposed to unregulated free trade. Cameron said it would take “political courage to get it over the line” but the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would be good for British people.

German Chancellor say she would do everything she could to complete TTIP this year

According to a report in Reuters, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday that she would do everything she could to complete this year the TTIP deal. Merkel said that during talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday she had "made clear that we will do everything possible to negotiate the transatlantic agreement this year." Supporters say the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would deliver more than $100 billion of economic gains on both sides of the Atlantic. But a survey published last month by the Bertelsmann Foundation showed waning support for a TTIP deal in both Germany and the United States after three years of negotiations.

New Zealand to host 13th round of RCEP talks from June 12-18 New Zealand's Trade Minister Todd McClay today confirmed that New Zealand will host the 13th round of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade negotiation in Auckland from 12-18 June 2016. “RCEP aims to broaden and deepen existing Free Trade Agreements between ASEAN and six other countries, including New Zealand,” said Mr. McClay. “It is important for New Zealand to play its part in these negotiations which offer us significant opportunities to increase our trade and economic links with the dynamic Asia region," McClay added.

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Trade Inquiries

Sixty nine inquiries were received during the period and relevant details were provided on them to the business houses/individuals seeking information.

Visa Facilitation for Business Travelers

The Commerce Wing of the Embassy of India in

Washington, DC facilitates, whenever

approached, grant of business visa to business

travelers from the US to India. It also examines

and clears grant of visa to US Government

officials from relevant Departments in the US

Government travelling on official visits to India.

The number of Business visas issued by EoI,

Washington, DC in May 2016 was 351. During

the same period 21 employment visas were also

issued from this Mission.

____________________________________

© Commerce Wing - Embassy of India -

Washington DC – April 2016

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Embassy of India - Washington, DC

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