Indian apple, pea and lentil tariffs to be lifted

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tariffs imposed on American apples, peas and lentils by the Republic of India in 2018 will be lifted within 90 days. Lifting of the tariffs was announced Thursday, during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington D.C.

“It’s a happy day when things go right,” said Kim Schrier (D-Washington), who represents the state’s Eighth Congressional District, which includes Chelan County and a small portion of Douglas County.

The tariffs were imposed in retaliation for tariffs on steel imposed by the administration of then-President Donald Trump. The steel tariffs also will be removed within 90 days.

India had been a strong market for peas and lentils, as well as some varieties of Washington apples. According to the Northwest Horticultural Council, apple exports to India accounted for about $120 million in sales in 2017, but only about $760,000 for the 2022 crop.

“With the removal of this damaging tariff, work can now begin to rebuild this important market,” the NHC said in a press release.

“This announcement is a big win for trade policy and Washington apple growers,” said Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission, in a commission press release.

The U.S. exported about $150 million worth of dry peas and lentils to India in 2016-17, a market that shrank dramatically by 2022-23.

“Today is a victory for Central Washington’s agriculture industry,” said Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-Washington) in a statement released by his office Thursday. Newhouse represents the Fourth District, which includes Grant and Adams counties.

“Washington state grows the best apples in the world, and India Prime Minister Modi’s announcement to lift the retaliatory tariffs on U.S. apples and pulses will significantly increase market access for farmers in Washington state and across the nation,” Newhouse said.

“The apple industry applauds the repeal of the retaliatory tariff, which has been holding us back since it was put in place,” said Steve Reinholt, chair of the NHC foreign trade committee, in the organization’s press release. “We are hopeful this will open the door to regain the market share we’ve lost.”

Schrier said it’s been a long effort, one that involved all members of the Washington Congressional delegation.

“Trade Representative (Katherine) Tai was finally able to strike a deal. For years, my office has been working to get this resolved,” Schrier said. “Everything from letters - the most recent one, I think, was in January - a meeting with her in February, some reassurance that conversations were happening quietly behind the scenes, and then all of a sudden, last night, we heard that this announcement was coming today.

“The whole delegation got behind this. If this is really an important Washington state issue, there’s nothing partisan about it,” Schrier said. “The letter that we sent (was signed by) both our senators and every one of our members of Congress.”

“Today is also very good news because it shows the partnership between the United States and India can get us off these retaliatory tariffs, help our farmers grow new market opportunities and produce and sell our products in India, a growing market for our apples and lentils,” said U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) in a speech on the Senate floor, a copy of which was released by her staff.

“I think it’s a testament to what happens when you work together as a delegation and at all levels of government, and with the orchardists,” Schrier said. “Everybody was pulling in the same direction. I pushed really, really hard but I also know this was a group effort.”

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.