On February 20, a significant gathering marked the triumphant apple shipping season between the US and India, following India's removal of a 20% retaliatory tariff on American apples. United States Senator Maria Cantwell, alongside Prakash Gupta, Consul General of the India Consulate in Seattle, and stakeholders from Central Washington's apple production sector, heralded this momentous occasion at the Port of Seattle. "Apples are the pride of the Washington agricultural economy. They are known worldwide," Cantwell remarked, highlighting the pivotal moment in US-India trade relations.
United States Senator Maria Cantwell (center right) joined Prakash Gupta (right of Sen. Cantwell), the Consul General of the newly opened India Consulate in Seattle, along with apple growers from Central Washington and labor and officials at the Port of Seattle on February 20. / Image: Office of Maria Cantwell.
The cessation of the tariffs, which were first imposed in 2019 and led to a dramatic decline in Washington's apple exports to India - from $120 million to less than $1 million - has now been reversed. With the tariffs lifted for the 2023-24 season, Washington growers have already shipped around 1,190,000 40 lb. boxes of apples to India, generating an estimated $19.5 million in sales.
This marks a significant rebound from the previous season's 73,000 boxes and $1.3 million in sales. Senator Cantwell's efforts, including correspondence with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and discussions with PM Modi and Ambassador Eric Garcetti, were pivotal in achieving this turnaround.
Source: lynnwoodtimes.com