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U.S. ag leaders want India trade agreement details

Some ag leaders say they’re cautiously optimistic about the recently announced trade framework between the U.S. and India.

Jaime Castenada with the U.S. Dairy Export Council tells Brownfield the India market has been tough to access. “We have been working to open the Indian market for more than fifteen years, and we have not had success through numerous administrations so we are obviously excited but cautious about what can be in that agreement.”

Castenada says he hopes the U.S. deal includes dairy product access. “Europe just finished an agreement with India in which dairy was not included, so it will be interesting to see if we can do better than the European Union.”

Troy Bredenkamp with the Renewable Fuels Association says India has huge market potential, but more details are needed. “When you look at what they’re trying to do with an ethanol standard within India, their movement in flex fuel vehicle requirements, there is big potential in India for biofuel and ethanol in particular.”

Bredenkamp says there has been, “somewhat of a standoff in getting something done there,” but welcomes the new opportunity.

Castenada says it’s important to finish the administration’s newest agreements so trade can expand. “From all the great agreements that ambassador Greer and ambassador Callahan have actually negotiated, we still have not had any agreement being implemented.”

When the new trade deals, including the India agreement, are implemented, Castenada believes they will create new and important U.S. export opportunities to a market with over one billion people.

The President announced the latest trade agreement on his social media site Truth Social Monday, but did not give details about products or amounts.