US concerned over Indian trade barriers

India's restrictive trade policy is impeding foreign investment and it needs to work harder to free up its economy, US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said on Monday, despite growing economic ties between the countries. India is only the 14th biggest trading partner for the United States despite its growing global weight and obstacles from outsourcing controversies to the Doha world trade round and market access have put the brakes on faster integration.
"Even though India has made tremendous strides to open up its economy, there is much more work that is left to be done," Locke told a conference in New Delhi after a meeting with Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma. The two reviewed progress on some thorny issues such as market access and non-tariff barriers. "While many tariffs have come down, others remain. Even when there are not outright tariffs there are non-tariff barriers that limit trade and investment," said Locke, alongside Sharma. The stakes on trade are high as the United States and India need each other to meet ambitious export targets amid a sluggish US economic recovery, yawning trade deficits with China and fears of global imbalances sparking a standoff.
As part of its efforts to boost trade with India, the United States has said it would ease restrictions on exports of high-technology goods to India in recognition of stronger economic and national security ties. On Monday, Sharma welcomed that move. A bilateral trade boom has seen total flows treble to $36.5 billion in goods in the decade to 2009/10, but the United States slipped from number one to three in India's trading partners.
India lags China, the United States' third biggest trading partner. The Obama administration wants to double its exports to bolster domestic growth and create jobs. The United States has criticised India for not assuming the responsibility that comes with its growing economic clout in the world and for insisting on shielding many of its sectors. Locke reiterated this stance on Monday, saying US companies should have the same opportunities as Indian firms and by opening up to foreign investment it could better meet the people's needs.
"Ultimately, all that America seeks is a level playing field for its companies, where the cost and the quality of its products and services determine whether or not they secure business," he said. "If it continues to become more open to the investments and innovations of foreign companies ... India will stand a much better chance of meeting the needs of its people."